169–170
Socrates
SOC. Even that is enough. And please be especially careful that we do not inadvertently give a playful turn to our argument and somebody reproach us again for it.
5
Theodorus
THEO. Rest assured that I will try so far as in me lies.
Socrates
SOC. Let us, therefore, first take up the same question as before, and let us see whether we were right or wrong in being displeased and finding fault with the doctrine because it made each individual self-sufficient in wisdom. Protagoras granted that some persons excelled others in respect to the better and the worse, and these he said were wise, did he not?
Socrates
SOC. Now if he himself were present and could agree to this, instead of our making the concession for him in our effort to help him, there would be no need of taking up the question again or of reinforcing his argument. But, as it is, perhaps it might be said that we have no authority to make the agreement for him; therefore it is better to make the agreement still clearer on this particular point; for it makes a good deal of difference whether it is so or not.
Theodorus
THEO. That is true.
10
Socrates
SOC. Let us then get the agreement in as concise a form as possible, not through others, but from his own statement.
Socrates
SOC. In this way: He says, does he not? that which appears to each person really is to him to whom it appears.
Theodorus
THEO. Yes, that is what he says.
