423–424
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. I think that is correct.
Socrates
Socrates. By Zeus, I do not think it is quite correct, yet, my friend.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Why not?
10
Socrates
Socrates. We should be obliged to agree that people who imitate sheep and cocks and other animals were naming those which they imitate.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes, so we should.
Socrates
Socrates. And do you think that is correct?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. No, I do not; but, Socrates, what sort of an imitation is a name?
Socrates
Socrates. In the first place we shall not, in my opinion, be making names, if we imitate things as we do in music, although musical imitation also is vocal; and secondly we shall make no names by imitating that which music imitates. What I mean is this: all objects have sound and shape, and many have color, have they not?
15
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
Socrates
Socrates. Well then, the art of naming is not employed in the imitation of those qualities, and has nothing to do with them. The arts which are concerned with them are music and design, are they not?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes.
Socrates
Socrates. Here is another point. Has not each thing an essential nature, just as it has a color and the other qualities we just mentioned? Indeed, in the first place, have not color and sound and all other things which may properly be said to exist, each and all an essential nature?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. I think so.
20
Socrates
Socrates. Well, then, if anyone could imitate this essential nature of each thing by means of letters and syllables, he would show what each thing really is, would he not?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
