The first is the desire of meat, the second of drink; these begin with birth, and make us disobedient to any voice other than that of pleasure.

The third and fiercest and greatest need is felt latest; this is love, which is a madness setting men's whole nature on fire.

These three disorders of mankind we must endeavour to restrain by three mighty influences--fear, and law, and reason, which, with the aid of the Muses and the Gods of contests, may extinguish our lusts.
But to return.

After marriage let us proceed to the generation of children, and then to their nurture and education--thus gradually approaching the subject of syssitia.

There are, however, some other points which are suggested by the three words--meat, drink, love.
'Proceed,' the bride and bridegroom ought to set their mind on having a brave offspring.