Dialogue

  1 Intro|    substitution for him of an Eleatic stranger, who is described as a pupil
  2 Intro|              character of the Eleatic stranger is colourless; he is to
  3 Intro|               likening of the Eleatic stranger to a god from heaven.—All
  4 Intro|           Platonic art in the Eleatic Stranger eliciting his true character
  5 Intro|         bringing with them an Eleatic Stranger, whom Theodorus introduces
  6 Intro|           them as one, or three?’~The Stranger has been already asked the
  7  Soph|      Theaetetus, Socrates. An Eleatic Stranger, whom Theodorus and Theaetetus
  8  Soph|                and we bring with us a stranger from Elea, who is a disciple
  9  Soph|               us in the disguise of a stranger? For Homer says that all
 10  Soph|        THEODORUS: I dare say that the Stranger will not object to discuss
 11  Soph|            question. What do you say, Stranger?~STRANGER: I am far from
 12  Soph|            What do you say, Stranger?~STRANGER: I am far from objecting,
 13  Soph|                SOCRATES: Then do not, Stranger, deny us the first favour
 14  Soph|             in years. (Compare Parm.)~STRANGER: I prefer to talk with another
 15  Soph|         preference for some one else.~STRANGER: I feel ashamed, Socrates,
 16  Soph|         THEAETETUS: But are you sure, Stranger, that this will be quite
 17  Soph|         company as Socrates imagines?~STRANGER: You hear them applauding,
 18  Soph|           accustomed to work with me.~STRANGER: Very good; you can decide
 19  Soph|          THEAETETUS: Indeed I cannot.~STRANGER: Then suppose that we work
 20  Soph|            greater?~THEAETETUS: Good.~STRANGER: What is there which is
 21  Soph|                THEAETETUS: He is not.~STRANGER: Yet I suspect that he will
 22  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very good.~STRANGER: Let us begin by asking
 23  Soph|              is clearly a man of art.~STRANGER: And of arts there are two
 24  Soph|            THEAETETUS: What are they?~STRANGER: There is agriculture, and
 25  Soph|           mean? And what is the name?~STRANGER: He who brings into existence
 26  Soph|           produced.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And all the arts which
 27  Soph|      producing?~THEAETETUS: They are.~STRANGER: Then let us sum them up
 28  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very good.~STRANGER: Next follows the whole
 29  Soph|              that is the proper name.~STRANGER: Seeing, then, that all
 30  Soph|             in the acquisitive class.~STRANGER: And the acquisitive may
 31  Soph|        implied in what has been said.~STRANGER: And may not conquest be
 32  Soph|          subdivided?~THEAETETUS: How?~STRANGER: Open force may be called
 33  Soph|             hunting?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And there is no reason
 34  Soph|          would you make the division?~STRANGER: Into the hunting of living
 35  Soph|             Yes, if both kinds exist.~STRANGER: Of course they exist; but
 36  Soph|             hunting.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And animal hunting may
 37  Soph|               swim?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And of swimming animals,
 38  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: Fowling is the general
 39  Soph|           included.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: The hunting of animals
 40  Soph|             fishing.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And this sort of hunting
 41  Soph|            THEAETETUS: What are they?~STRANGER: There is one kind which
 42  Soph|              do you distinguish them?~STRANGER: As to the first kind—all
 43  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very true.~STRANGER: For which reason twig baskets,
 44  Soph|        enclosures’?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And therefore this first
 45  Soph|           that sort?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: The other kind, which is
 46  Soph|            suggest will do very well.~STRANGER: There is one mode of striking,
 47  Soph|          firelight.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And the fishing by day
 48  Soph|                Yes, that is the term.~STRANGER: Of this barb-fishing, that
 49  Soph|                it is often called so.~STRANGER: Then now there is only
 50  Soph|             THEAETETUS: What is that?~STRANGER: When a hook is used, and
 51  Soph|             the object of our search.~STRANGER: Then now you and I have
 52  Soph|           satisfactorily brought out.~STRANGER: And now, following this
 53  Soph|             THEAETETUS: By all means.~STRANGER: The first question about
 54  Soph|          unskilled?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And shall we call our new
 55  Soph|            surely express his nature.~STRANGER: Then he must be supposed
 56  Soph|            art.~THEAETETUS: What art?~STRANGER: By heaven, they are cousins!
 57  Soph|          THEAETETUS: Who are cousins?~STRANGER: The angler and the Sophist.~
 58  Soph|            what way are they related?~STRANGER: They both appear to me
 59  Soph|             the other we have spoken.~STRANGER: You remember our division
 60  Soph|             animals?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And you remember that we
 61  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: Thus far, then, the Sophist
 62  Soph|       THEAETETUS: So it would appear.~STRANGER: Their paths diverge when
 63  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very true.~STRANGER: While the other goes to
 64  Soph|         THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~STRANGER: Of hunting on land there
 65  Soph|            THEAETETUS: What are they?~STRANGER: One is the hunting of tame,
 66  Soph|             tame animals ever hunted?~STRANGER: Yes, if you include man
 67  Soph|             THEAETETUS: I should say, Stranger, that man is a tame animal,
 68  Soph|              admit that he is hunted.~STRANGER: Then let us divide the
 69  Soph|           shall we make the division?~STRANGER: Let us define piracy, man-stealing,
 70  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very good.~STRANGER: But the art of the lawyer,
 71  Soph|         persuasion.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And of persuasion, there
 72  Soph|            THEAETETUS: What are they?~STRANGER: One is private, and the
 73  Soph|           each of them forms a class.~STRANGER: And of private hunting,
 74  Soph|              I do not understand you.~STRANGER: You seem never to have
 75  Soph|     THEAETETUS: To what do you refer?~STRANGER: I mean that they lavish
 76  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Most true.~STRANGER: Let us admit this, then,
 77  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: But that sort of hireling
 78  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And that sort, which professes
 79  Soph|               THEAETETUS: To be sure.~STRANGER: And what is the name? Will
 80  Soph|              for the class described.~STRANGER: Then now, Theaetetus, his
 81  Soph|      conclusion.~THEAETETUS: Just so.~STRANGER: Let us take another branch
 82  Soph|          THEAETETUS: In what respect?~STRANGER: There were two sorts of
 83  Soph|               THEAETETUS: There were.~STRANGER: And of the art of exchange
 84  Soph|       THEAETETUS: Let us assume that.~STRANGER: Next, we will suppose the
 85  Soph|               parts.~THEAETETUS: How?~STRANGER: There is one part which
 86  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And is not that part of
 87  Soph|           retailing?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And that which exchanges
 88  Soph|               THEAETETUS: To be sure.~STRANGER: And you are aware that
 89  Soph|         THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~STRANGER: You want to know what is
 90  Soph|          understand.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: Take music in general and
 91  Soph|        THEAETETUS: To be sure he may.~STRANGER: And would you not call
 92  Soph|       THEAETETUS: Certainly I should.~STRANGER: Of this merchandise of
 93  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: The latter should have
 94  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Of course.~STRANGER: The name of art-seller
 95  Soph|           name can possibly be right.~STRANGER: No other; and so this trader
 96  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: And there may be a third
 97  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: Then that part of the acquisitive
 98  Soph|               pace with the argument.~STRANGER: Let us consider once more
 99  Soph|               THEAETETUS: What is it?~STRANGER: In the acquisitive there
100  Soph|                THEAETETUS: There was.~STRANGER: Perhaps we had better divide
101  Soph|               shall be the divisions?~STRANGER: There shall be one division
102  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very good.~STRANGER: That part of the pugnacious
103  Soph|            violent.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And when the war is one
104  Soph|         controversy?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And controversy may be
105  Soph|            THEAETETUS: What are they?~STRANGER: When long speeches are
106  Soph|         controversy.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And there is a private
107  Soph|                Yes, that is the name.~STRANGER: And of disputation, that
108  Soph|             minute and heterogeneous.~STRANGER: But that which proceeds
109  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And of argumentation, one
110  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very true.~STRANGER: Suppose we try and give
111  Soph|             THEAETETUS: Let us do so.~STRANGER: I should say that the habit
112  Soph|               the common name for it.~STRANGER: But now who the other is,
113  Soph|            again for the fourth time.~STRANGER: Yes, and with a fresh pedigree,
114  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: How true was the observation
115  Soph|              must catch him with two.~STRANGER: Yes, we must, if we can.
116  Soph|            which of them do you mean?~STRANGER: I mean such as sifting,
117  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And besides these there
118  Soph|            going to do with them all?~STRANGER: I think that in all of
119  Soph|            division.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: Then if, as I was saying,
120  Soph|               is the name of the art?~STRANGER: The art of discerning or
121  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very good.~STRANGER: Think whether you cannot
122  Soph|           have to think a long while.~STRANGER: In all the previously named
123  Soph|              I see now what you mean.~STRANGER: There is no name for the
124  Soph|               THEAETETUS: What is it?~STRANGER: Every discernment or discrimination
125  Soph|              is the usual expression.~STRANGER: And any one may see that
126  Soph|               not see at this moment.~STRANGER: There are many purifications
127  Soph|               and what is their name?~STRANGER: There is the purification
128  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very true.~STRANGER: There can be no doubt that
129  Soph|              concerned with the body.~STRANGER: Excellent; and now listen
130  Soph|              endeavour to assist you.~STRANGER: Do we admit that virtue
131  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And purification was to
132  Soph|             is bad?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: Then any taking away of
133  Soph|        purification?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And in the soul there are
134  Soph|            THEAETETUS: What are they?~STRANGER: The one may be compared
135  Soph|      THEAETETUS: I do not understand.~STRANGER: Perhaps you have never
136  Soph|              not what I should reply.~STRANGER: Do you not conceive discord
137  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Just that.~STRANGER: And is deformity anything
138  Soph|       unsightly?~THEAETETUS: Exactly.~STRANGER: And do we not see that
139  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And yet they must all be
140  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Of course.~STRANGER: Then we shall be right
141  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Most true.~STRANGER: And when things having
142  Soph|              of the want of symmetry.~STRANGER: But surely we know that
143  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Certainly not.~STRANGER: And what is ignorance but
144  Soph|          perverted?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: Then we are to regard an
145  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very true.~STRANGER: Then there are these two
146  Soph|              soul...~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And there is the other,
147  Soph|           varieties, to be deformity.~STRANGER: And in the case of the
148  Soph|            THEAETETUS: What are they?~STRANGER: There is gymnastic, which
149  Soph|            disease.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And where there is insolence
150  Soph|               the opinion of mankind.~STRANGER: Again, of the various kinds
151  Soph|             remedy?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And of the art of instruction,
152  Soph|            Think.~THEAETETUS: I will.~STRANGER: I believe that I can see
153  Soph|            question.~THEAETETUS: How?~STRANGER: If we can discover a line
154  Soph|             what you are looking for?~STRANGER: I do seem to myself to
155  Soph|               THEAETETUS: What is it?~STRANGER: When a person supposes
156  Soph|          intellect.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And this, if I am not mistaken,
157  Soph|          stupidity.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: What name, then, shall
158  Soph|           instruction which you mean, Stranger, is, I should imagine, not
159  Soph|               in this part the world.~STRANGER: Yes, Theaetetus, and by
160  Soph|        division.~THEAETETUS: We have.~STRANGER: I think that there is a
161  Soph|          possible.~THEAETETUS: Where?~STRANGER: Of education, one method
162  Soph|               to distinguish the two?~STRANGER: There is the time-honoured
163  Soph|         admonition.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: But whereas some appear
164  Soph|           There they are quite right.~STRANGER: Accordingly, they set to
165  Soph|              THEAETETUS: In what way?~STRANGER: They cross-examine a man’
166  Soph|             and wisest state of mind.~STRANGER: For all these reasons,
167  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very true.~STRANGER: And who are the ministers
168  Soph|            Sophists.~THEAETETUS: Why?~STRANGER: Lest we should assign to
169  Soph|             minister of purification.~STRANGER: Yes, the same sort of likeness
170  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Likely enough.~STRANGER: Let us grant, then, that
171  Soph|           real nature of the Sophist.~STRANGER: You naturally feel perplexed;
172  Soph|           upon him.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: First let us wait a moment
173  Soph|               youth.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: In the second place, he
174  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: In the third place, he
175  Soph|          learned wares which he sold.~STRANGER: Quite right; I will try
176  Soph|        eristic art.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: The sixth point was doubtful,
177  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very true.~STRANGER: Do you not see that when
178  Soph|          imagine this to be the case.~STRANGER: At any rate we will understand
179  Soph|               what are you referring?~STRANGER: We were saying of him,
180  Soph|        disputer?~THEAETETUS: We were.~STRANGER: And does he not also teach
181  Soph|        THEAETETUS: Certainly he does.~STRANGER: And about what does he
182  Soph|            rate, he is said to do so.~STRANGER: And what do you say of
183  Soph|        teaches to dispute about them.~STRANGER: Then, again, in private
184  Soph|              THEAETETUS: Undoubtedly.~STRANGER: And do they not profess
185  Soph|               make these professions.~STRANGER: In all and every art, what
186  Soph|         wrestling and the other arts?~STRANGER: Yes, my friend, and about
187  Soph|               much which is left out.~STRANGER: But oh! my dear youth,
188  Soph|     understand your present question.~STRANGER: I ask whether anybody can
189  Soph|                THEAETETUS: He cannot.~STRANGER: Then why has the sophistical
190  Soph|     THEAETETUS: To what do you refer?~STRANGER: How do the Sophists make
191  Soph|             They certainly would not.~STRANGER: But they are willing.~THEAETETUS:
192  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Yes, they are.~STRANGER: Yes, and the reason, as
193  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And they dispute about
194  Soph|             things?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And therefore, to their
195  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: But they are not; for that
196  Soph|                Impossible, of course.~STRANGER: Then the Sophist has been
197  Soph|    description of him could be given.~STRANGER: Let us now take an illustration,
198  Soph|               THEAETETUS: What is it?~STRANGER: I will tell you, and you
199  Soph|               THEAETETUS: All things?~STRANGER: I see that you do not understand
200  Soph|             THEAETETUS: No, I do not.~STRANGER: Under all things, I include
201  Soph|         THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~STRANGER: Suppose a person to say
202  Soph|             he is a maker of animals.~STRANGER: Yes; and I say that he
203  Soph|      THEAETETUS: That must be a jest.~STRANGER: And when a man says that
204  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And is there any more artistic
205  Soph|              diverse sorts of things.~STRANGER: We know, of course, that
206  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And may there not be supposed
207  Soph|              not be another such art?~STRANGER: But as time goes on, and
208  Soph|            things at a distance only.~STRANGER: And the wish of all of
209  Soph|           THEAETETUS: But how can he, Stranger? Is there any doubt, after
210  Soph|         divisions of children’s play?~STRANGER: Then we must place him
211  Soph|        THEAETETUS: Certainly we must.~STRANGER: And now our business is
212  Soph|             THEAETETUS: What is that?~STRANGER: The inference that he is
213  Soph|      Precisely my own opinion of him.~STRANGER: Then, clearly, we ought
214  Soph|             let us do as you propose.~STRANGER: Well, then, pursuing the
215  Soph|               which you are speaking?~STRANGER: One is the art of likeness-making;—
216  Soph|          always the aim of imitation?~STRANGER: Not always; in works either
217  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: And that which being other
218  Soph|               image?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And may we not, as I did
219  Soph|     THEAETETUS: Let that be the name.~STRANGER: And what shall we call
220  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: There is a great deal of
221  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Of course.~STRANGER: And may we not fairly call
222  Soph|              THEAETETUS: Most fairly.~STRANGER: These then are the two
223  Soph|        appearances?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: I was doubtful before in
224  Soph|              THEAETETUS: Yes, he has.~STRANGER: Do you speak advisedly,
225  Soph|               what you are referring?~STRANGER: My dear friend, we are
226  Soph|       difficult one.~THEAETETUS: Why?~STRANGER: He who says that falsehood
227  Soph|              should take me with you.~STRANGER: Very good; and now say,
228  Soph|          THEAETETUS: Certainly we do.~STRANGER: Let us be serious then,
229  Soph|              by a person like myself.~STRANGER: There is at any rate no
230  Soph|          THEAETETUS: None, certainly.~STRANGER: And if not to being, then
231  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Of course not.~STRANGER: It is also plain, that
232  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Impossible.~STRANGER: You mean by assenting to
233  Soph|               thing?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: Some in the singular (ti)
234  Soph|            many?~THEAETETUS: Exactly.~STRANGER: Then he who says ‘not something’
235  Soph|           THEAETETUS: Most assuredly.~STRANGER: And as we cannot admit
236  Soph|           argument can no further go.~STRANGER: Not yet, my friend, is
237  Soph|               not be afraid to speak.~STRANGER: To that which is, may be
238  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: But can anything which
239  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Impossible.~STRANGER: And all number is to be
240  Soph|       anything, has a real existence.~STRANGER: Then we must not attempt
241  Soph|          should be wrong in doing so.~STRANGER: But how can a man either
242  Soph|               THEAETETUS: How indeed?~STRANGER: When we speak of things
243  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: But, on the other hand,
244  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Manifestly.~STRANGER: Nevertheless, we maintain
245  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Most true.~STRANGER: Do you see, then, that
246  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: But, if so, I was wrong
247  Soph|               a greater still behind?~STRANGER: Well, I am surprised, after
248  Soph|             mean? Speak more clearly.~STRANGER: Do not expect clearness
249  Soph|          understand?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And a little while ago
250  Soph|     THEAETETUS: I do after a fashion.~STRANGER: When I introduced the word ‘
251  Soph|          before?~THEAETETUS: Clearly.~STRANGER: And in using the singular
252  Soph|              as one?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And when I spoke of not-being
253  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And yet we say that, strictly
254  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: How, then, can any one
255  Soph|         THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~STRANGER: Make a noble effort, as
256  Soph|             see you thus discomfited.~STRANGER: Say no more of ourselves;
257  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Most true.~STRANGER: And if we say to him that
258  Soph|       pictures, and other duplicates.~STRANGER: I see, Theaetetus, that
259  Soph|      THEAETETUS: Why do you think so?~STRANGER: He will make believe to
260  Soph|         THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~STRANGER: When you tell him of something
261  Soph|         THEAETETUS: What can he mean?~STRANGER: The common notion pervading
262  Soph|         against him?~THEAETETUS: How, Stranger, can I describe an image
263  Soph|             the likeness of the true?~STRANGER: And do you mean this something
264  Soph|               but only a resemblance.~STRANGER: And you mean by true that
265  Soph|           really is?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And the not true is that
266  Soph|            true?~THEAETETUS: Exactly.~STRANGER: A resemblance, then, is
267  Soph|             it is in a certain sense.~STRANGER: You mean to say, not in
268  Soph|             in reality only an image.~STRANGER: Then what we call an image
269  Soph|            not-being we are involved!~STRANGER: Strange! I should think
270  Soph|       THEAETETUS: Yes, indeed, I see.~STRANGER: The difficulty is how to
271  Soph|            where does the danger lie?~STRANGER: When we say that he deceives
272  Soph|              nothing else to be said.~STRANGER: Again, false opinion is
273  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: You mean to say that false
274  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Of course.~STRANGER: Does false opinion think
275  Soph|          falsehood is to be possible.~STRANGER: And does not false opinion
276  Soph|              at all?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And here, again, is falsehood?~
277  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Falsehood—yes.~STRANGER: And in like manner, a false
278  Soph|          false proposition can arise.~STRANGER: There is not; but the Sophist
279  Soph|               an utter impossibility.~STRANGER: How well you remember!
280  Soph|          THEAETETUS: They are indeed.~STRANGER: We have gone through but
281  Soph|           possibly catch the Sophist.~STRANGER: Shall we then be so faint-hearted
282  Soph|              slightest hold upon him.~STRANGER: Will you then forgive me,
283  Soph|        THEAETETUS: To be sure I will.~STRANGER: I have a yet more urgent
284  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Which is—?~STRANGER: That you will promise not
285  Soph|       parricide.~THEAETETUS: And why?~STRANGER: Because, in self-defence,
286  Soph|               kind is clearly needed.~STRANGER: Yes, a blind man, as they
287  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Most true.~STRANGER: And therefore I must venture
288  Soph|              ever induce us to do so.~STRANGER: I have a third little request
289  Soph|               THEAETETUS: What is it?~STRANGER: You heard me say what I
290  Soph|          argument?~THEAETETUS: I did.~STRANGER: I tremble at the thought
291  Soph|               therefore, and proceed.~STRANGER: And where shall I begin
292  Soph|       THEAETETUS: Which?—Let me hear.~STRANGER: I think that we had better,
293  Soph|             distinctly what you mean.~STRANGER: I think that Parmenides,
294  Soph|              strain.~THEAETETUS: How?~STRANGER: As if we had been children,
295  Soph|               THEAETETUS: What thing?~STRANGER: That they went on their
296  Soph|          THEAETETUS: How do you mean?~STRANGER: I mean to say, that when
297  Soph|          about it.~THEAETETUS: I see.~STRANGER: And very likely we have
298  Soph|               THEAETETUS: I dare say.~STRANGER: And the same may be said
299  Soph|          mentioned.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: The consideration of most
300  Soph|             mean by the word ‘being.’~STRANGER: You follow close at my
301  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very true.~STRANGER: But perhaps you mean to
302  Soph|             THEAETETUS: Quite likely.~STRANGER: ‘Then, friends,’ we shall
303  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Most true.~STRANGER: ‘Since, then, we are in
304  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Certainly not.~STRANGER: And what about the assertors
305  Soph|             THEAETETUS: By all means.~STRANGER: Then let them answer this
306  Soph|              reply.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And there is something
307  Soph|            being’?~THEAETETUS: ‘Yes.’~STRANGER: And is being the same as
308  Soph|            What will be their answer, Stranger?~STRANGER: It is clear,
309  Soph|               their answer, Stranger?~STRANGER: It is clear, Theaetetus,
310  Soph|         question.~THEAETETUS: Why so?~STRANGER: To admit of two names,
311  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And equally irrational
312  Soph|         anything?~THEAETETUS: How so?~STRANGER: To distinguish the name
313  Soph|             duality.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And yet he who identifies
314  Soph|               else.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And the one will turn out
315  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And would they say that
316  Soph|             and they actually say so.~STRANGER: If being is a whole, as
317  Soph|              parts.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: Yet that which has parts
318  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: But that of which this
319  Soph|           unity?~THEAETETUS: Why not?~STRANGER: Because, according to right
320  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: But this indivisible, if
321  Soph|             THEAETETUS: I understand.~STRANGER: Shall we say that being
322  Soph|            hard alternative to offer.~STRANGER: Most true; for being, having
323  Soph|            than one.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And yet if being be not
324  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: Upon this view, again,
325  Soph|          not-being?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And, again, the all becomes
326  Soph|              nature.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: But if the whole does not
327  Soph|            being.~THEAETETUS: Why so?~STRANGER: Because that which comes
328  Soph|         certainly appears to be true.~STRANGER: Again; how can that which
329  Soph|        quantity.~THEAETETUS: Exactly.~STRANGER: And there will be innumerable
330  Soph|         greater and worse perplexity.~STRANGER: We are far from having
331  Soph|             we will go to the others.~STRANGER: There appears to be a sort
332  Soph|              THEAETETUS: How is that?~STRANGER: Some of them are dragging
333  Soph|            terrible fellows they are.~STRANGER: And that is the reason
334  Soph|            matters.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: Let us ask each party in
335  Soph|          shall we get it out of them?~STRANGER: With those who make being
336  Soph|            must do?~THEAETETUS: What?~STRANGER: Let us, if we can, really
337  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very good.~STRANGER: Then now, on the supposition
338  Soph|             them.~THEAETETUS: Agreed.~STRANGER: Let them say whether they
339  Soph|     THEAETETUS: Of course they would.~STRANGER: And do they not acknowledge
340  Soph|        THEAETETUS: Certainly they do.~STRANGER: Meaning to say that the
341  Soph|             exists?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And do they not say that
342  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And that the just and wise
343  Soph|             THEAETETUS: Yes, they do.~STRANGER: But surely that which may
344  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And, allowing that justice,
345  Soph|              any of them are visible.~STRANGER: And would they say that
346  Soph|              they were all corporeal.~STRANGER: Verily, Theaetetus, I perceive
347  Soph|             pretty much their notion.~STRANGER: Let us push the question;
348  Soph|                and we shall soon see.~STRANGER: My notion would be, that
349  Soph|         better of their own to offer.~STRANGER: Very good; perhaps we,
350  Soph|             them.~THEAETETUS: Agreed.~STRANGER: Let us now go to the friends
351  Soph|      interpreter.~THEAETETUS: I will.~STRANGER: To them we say—You would
352  Soph|        THEAETETUS: ‘Yes,’ they reply.~STRANGER: And you would allow that
353  Soph|             is what we should affirm.~STRANGER: Well, fair sirs, we say
354  Soph|          THEAETETUS: What definition?~STRANGER: We said that being was
355  Soph|             And what is their answer?~STRANGER: They deny the truth of
356  Soph|            THEAETETUS: What was that?~STRANGER: Any power of doing or suffering
357  Soph|              being?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: They deny this, and say
358  Soph|               truth in what they say?~STRANGER: Yes; but our reply will
359  Soph|               doubt that they say so.~STRANGER: And is knowing and being
360  Soph|           will contradict themselves.~STRANGER: I understand; but they
361  Soph|             affirm.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And, O heavens, can we
362  Soph|              dreadful thing to admit, Stranger.~STRANGER: But shall we
363  Soph|             thing to admit, Stranger.~STRANGER: But shall we say that has
364  Soph|     THEAETETUS: How is that possible?~STRANGER: Or shall we say that both
365  Soph|              way can it contain them?~STRANGER: Or that being has mind
366  Soph|               to me to be irrational.~STRANGER: Under being, then, we must
367  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: Then, Theaetetus, our inference
368  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: And yet this equally follows,
369  Soph|        existence.~THEAETETUS: How so?~STRANGER: Do you think that sameness
370  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Certainly not.~STRANGER: Can you see how without
371  Soph|             anywhere?~THEAETETUS: No.~STRANGER: And surely contend we must
372  Soph|              Yes, with all our might.~STRANGER: Then the philosopher, who
373  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Most true.~STRANGER: And now, do we seem to
374  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Yes truly.~STRANGER: Alas, Theaetetus, methinks
375  Soph|         THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~STRANGER: O my friend, do you not
376  Soph|               out our desperate case.~STRANGER: Reflect: after having made
377  Soph|               recall them to my mind?~STRANGER: To be sure I will, and
378  Soph|             get on.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: Would you not say that
379  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Of course.~STRANGER: And yet you would say that
380  Soph|            are?~THEAETETUS: I should.~STRANGER: And when you admit that
381  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Certainly not.~STRANGER: Or do you wish to imply
382  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Of course not.~STRANGER: Then you conceive of being
383  Soph|             that rest and motion are.~STRANGER: Then being is not the combination
384  Soph|       THEAETETUS: So it would appear.~STRANGER: Being, then, according
385  Soph|               is very much the truth.~STRANGER: Where, then, is a man to
386  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Where, indeed?~STRANGER: I scarcely think that he
387  Soph|       THEAETETUS: Utterly impossible.~STRANGER: Here, then, is another
388  Soph|               mind.~THEAETETUS: What?~STRANGER: When we were asked to what
389  Soph|               THEAETETUS: To be sure.~STRANGER: And are we not now in as
390  Soph|             THEAETETUS: I should say, Stranger, that we are in one which
391  Soph|               possible, even greater.~STRANGER: Then let us acknowledge
392  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very good.~STRANGER: Let us enquire, then, how
393  Soph|          THEAETETUS: Give an example.~STRANGER: I mean that we speak of
394  Soph|             THEAETETUS: That is true.~STRANGER: And thus we provide a rich
395  Soph|        THEAETETUS: Certainly, I have.~STRANGER: Then, not to exclude any
396  Soph|           THEAETETUS: What questions?~STRANGER: Shall we refuse to attribute
397  Soph|             follow from each of them.~STRANGER: Very good, and first let
398  Soph|              THEAETETUS: They cannot.~STRANGER: But would either of them
399  Soph|             in being?~THEAETETUS: No.~STRANGER: Then by this admission
400  Soph|            rest.~THEAETETUS: Just so.~STRANGER: Again, those who would
401  Soph|          admixture.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: Most ridiculous of all
402  Soph|            other.~THEAETETUS: Why so?~STRANGER: Why, because they are compelled
403  Soph|               and exact illustration.~STRANGER: And now, if we suppose
404  Soph|              I can solve that riddle.~STRANGER: How?~THEAETETUS: Why, because
405  Soph|            attributed to one another.~STRANGER: But this is utterly impossible.~
406  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Of course.~STRANGER: Then only the third hypothesis
407  Soph|            remains.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: For, surely, either all
408  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And two out of these three
409  Soph|          impossible.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: Every one then, who desires
410  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: This communion of some
411  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Of course.~STRANGER: And the vowels, especially,
412  Soph|            another.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: But does every one know
413  Soph|          THEAETETUS: Art is required.~STRANGER: What art?~THEAETETUS: The
414  Soph|       THEAETETUS: The art of grammar.~STRANGER: And is not this also true
415  Soph|            musician?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And we shall find this
416  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Of course.~STRANGER: And as classes are admitted
417  Soph|             greatest of all sciences.~STRANGER: How are we to call it?
418  Soph|         THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~STRANGER: Should we not say that
419  Soph|           That is what we should say.~STRANGER: Then, surely, he who can
420  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: And the art of dialectic
421  Soph|             Who but he can be worthy?~STRANGER: In this region we shall
422  Soph|          THEAETETUS: For what reason?~STRANGER: Because the Sophist runs
423  Soph|        THEAETETUS: It seems to be so.~STRANGER: And the philosopher, always
424  Soph|           quite as true as the other.~STRANGER: Well, the philosopher may
425  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very good.~STRANGER: Since, then, we are agreed
426  Soph|            THEAETETUS: We must do so.~STRANGER: The most important of all
427  Soph|              THEAETETUS: Yes, by far.~STRANGER: And two of these are, as
428  Soph|          THEAETETUS: Quite incapable.~STRANGER: Whereas being surely has
429  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Of course.~STRANGER: That makes up three of
430  Soph|               THEAETETUS: To be sure.~STRANGER: And each of them is other
431  Soph|             itself.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: But then, what is the meaning
432  Soph|       THEAETETUS: Very likely we are.~STRANGER: But, surely, motion and
433  Soph|              THEAETETUS: How is that?~STRANGER: Whatever we attribute to
434  Soph|            them.~THEAETETUS: Why not?~STRANGER: Because motion would be
435  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: Yet they surely both partake
436  Soph|               other?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: Then we must not assert
437  Soph|          THEAETETUS: No; we must not.~STRANGER: But are we to conceive
438  Soph|      identical?~THEAETETUS: Possibly.~STRANGER: But if they are identical,
439  Soph|               Which surely cannot be.~STRANGER: Then being and the same
440  Soph|            one.~THEAETETUS: Scarcely.~STRANGER: Then we may suppose the
441  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: And shall we call the other
442  Soph|              THEAETETUS: Very likely.~STRANGER: But you would agree, if
443  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: And the other is always
444  Soph|              other?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: But this would not be the
445  Soph|               true state of the case.~STRANGER: Then we must admit the
446  Soph|             classes.~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And the fifth class pervades
447  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: Then let us now put the
448  Soph|            the five.~THEAETETUS: How?~STRANGER: First there is motion,
449  Soph|            say?~THEAETETUS: It is so.~STRANGER: And therefore is not rest.~
450  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Certainly not.~STRANGER: And yet is, because partaking
451  Soph|              being.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: Again, motion is other
452  Soph|            same?~THEAETETUS: Just so.~STRANGER: And is therefore not the
453  Soph|                THEAETETUS: It is not.~STRANGER: Yet, surely, motion is
454  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very true.~STRANGER: Then we must admit, and
455  Soph|               THEAETETUS: To be sure.~STRANGER: And if absolute motion
456  Soph|              another, and others not.~STRANGER: That such a communion of
457  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: Let us proceed, then. May
458  Soph|          THEAETETUS: That is certain.~STRANGER: Then, according to this
459  Soph|              other?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: What is the next step?
460  Soph|              appeared to be just now.~STRANGER: Then we may without fear
461  Soph|               Without the least fear.~STRANGER: The plain result is that
462  Soph|               Nothing can be plainer.~STRANGER: Then not-being necessarily
463  Soph|         THEAETETUS: So we may assume.~STRANGER: Every class, then, has
464  Soph|         THEAETETUS: So we must infer.~STRANGER: And being itself may be
465  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Certainly.~STRANGER: Then we may infer that
466  Soph|               not far from the truth.~STRANGER: And we must not quarrel
467  Soph|                Nothing can be fairer.~STRANGER: Let me ask you to consider
468  Soph|            THEAETETUS: What question?~STRANGER: When we speak of not-being,
469  Soph|         THEAETETUS: What do you mean?~STRANGER: When we speak of something
470  Soph|            THEAETETUS: Certainly not.~STRANGER: The negative particles,
471  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: There is another point
472  Soph|               THEAETETUS: What is it?~STRANGER: The nature of the other
473  Soph|        knowledge.~THEAETETUS: How so?~STRANGER: Knowledge, like the other,
474  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Quite true.~STRANGER: And is not the case the
475  Soph|             but will you tell me how?~STRANGER: There is some part of the
476  Soph|      beautiful?~THEAETETUS: There is.~STRANGER: Shall we say that this
477  Soph|              not than something else.~STRANGER: And now tell me another
478  Soph|              thing.~THEAETETUS: What?~STRANGER: Is the not-beautiful anything
479  Soph|          something?~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: Then the not-beautiful
480  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Very true.~STRANGER: But upon this view, is
481  Soph|               THEAETETUS: Not at all.~STRANGER: And the not-great may be
482  Soph|               great?~THEAETETUS: Yes.~STRANGER: And, in the same way, the
483  Soph|              other.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: The same may be said of
484  Soph|                THEAETETUS: Of course.~STRANGER: Then, as would appear,
485  Soph|          THEAETETUS: Beyond question.~STRANGER: What then shall we call
486  Soph|               compelled us to search.~STRANGER: And has not this, as you
487  Soph|            THEAETETUS: None whatever.~STRANGER: Do you observe that our
488  Soph|     prohibition?~THEAETETUS: In what?~STRANGER: We have advanced to a further
489  Soph|              THEAETETUS: How is that?~STRANGER: Why, because he says—~‘
490  Soph|          THEAETETUS: Yes, he says so.~STRANGER: Whereas, we have not only
491  Soph|               THEAETETUS: And surely, Stranger, we were quite right.~STRANGER:
492  Soph|        Stranger, we were quite right.~STRANGER: Let not any one say, then,
493  Soph|            are not.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And he who is sceptical
494  Soph|               THEAETETUS: What is it?~STRANGER: A thing of which I have
495  Soph|               THEAETETUS: To be sure.~STRANGER: For certainly, my friend,
496  Soph|             mind.~THEAETETUS: Why so?~STRANGER: The attempt at universal
497  Soph|             reason.~THEAETETUS: True.~STRANGER: And, observe that we were
498  Soph|          another.~THEAETETUS: Why so?~STRANGER: Why, that we might be able
499  Soph|              the nature of discourse.~STRANGER: Perhaps you will see more
500  Soph|         THEAETETUS: What explanation?~STRANGER: Not-being has been acknowledged