386
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes, that is my opinion.
10
Socrates
Socrates. Now if Protagoras is right and the truth is as he says, that all things are to each person as they seem to him, is it possible for some of us to be wise and some foolish?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. No, it is not.
Socrates
Socrates. And you are, I imagine, strongly of the opinion that if wisdom and folly exist, it is quite impossible that Protagoras is right, for one man would not in reality be at all wiser than another if whatever seems to each person is really true to him.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Quite right.
Socrates
Socrates. But neither do you believe with Euthydemus that all things belong equally to all men at the same time and perpetually,The doctrine here attributed to Euthydemus is not expressly enunciated by him in the dialogue which bears his name, but it is little more than a comprehensive statement of the several doctrines there proclaimed by him and his brother Dionysodorus. for on this assumption also some could not be good and others bad, if virtue and its opposite were always equally possessed by all.
15
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. True.
Socrates
Socrates. Then if neither all things belong equally to all men at the same time and perpetually nor each thing to each man individually, it is clear that things have some fixed reality of their own, not in relation to us nor caused by us; they do not vary, swaying one way and another in accordance with our fancy, but exist of themselves in relation to their own reality imposed by nature.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. I think, Socrates, that is the case.
