Dialogue

 1 Phaedo|    higher notion of absolute equality. But here observe that material
 2 Phaedo|   the conception of absolute equality with which they are compared,
 3 Phaedo|     is measured, the idea of equality prior to the visible equals.
 4 Phaedo|     there is such a thing as equality, not of one piece of wood
 5 Phaedo|      this, there is absolute equality? Shall we say so?~Say so,
 6 Phaedo|     from them the idea of an equality which is different from
 7 Phaedo|   unequal? or is the idea of equality the same as of inequality?~
 8 Phaedo|    the same with the idea of equality?~I should say, clearly not,
 9 Phaedo|   differing from the idea of equality, you conceived and attained
10 Phaedo|      sense in which absolute equality is equal? or do they fall
11 Phaedo|   fall short of this perfect equality in a measure?~Yes, he said,
12 Phaedo|    of equals and of absolute equality?~Precisely.~Then we must
13 Phaedo|      Then we must have known equality previously to the time when
14 Phaedo|    strive to attain absolute equality, but fall short of it?~Very
15 Phaedo|      also that this absolute equality has only been known, and
16 Phaedo|    things aim at an absolute equality of which they fall short?~
17 Phaedo|      a knowledge of absolute equality, or we could not have referred
18 Phaedo|    acquired the knowledge of equality at some previous time?~Yes.~
19 Phaedo|     are not speaking only of equality, but of beauty, goodness,
20 Phaedo| existence—whether essence of equality, beauty, or anything else—