205
Theaetetus
THEAET. I think now that there is no difference between all and whole.
Socrates
SOC. We were saying, were we not, that if there are parts of anything, the whole and all of it will be all the parts?
5
Theaetetus
THEAET. Certainly.
Socrates
SOC. Once more, then, as I was trying to say just now, if the syllable is not the letters, does it not follow necessarily that it contains the letters, not as parts of it, or else that being the same as the letters, it is equally knowable with them?
Theaetetus
THEAET. It does.
Socrates
SOC. And it was in order to avoid this that we assumed that it was different from them?
Theaetetus
THEAET. Yes.
10
Socrates
SOC. Well then, if the letters are not parts of the syllable, can you mention any other things which are parts of it, but are not the letters The reader is reminded that words στοιχεῖον and συλλαβή have the meanings element and combination as well as letter and syllable. of it?
Theaetetus
THEAET. Certainly not. For if I grant that there are parts of the syllable, it would be ridiculous to give up the letters and look for other things as parts.
Socrates
SOC. Without question, then, Theaetetus, the syllable would be, according to our present view, some indivisible concept.
Theaetetus
THEAET. I agree.
