241
Theaetetus
Theaet. Of course we understand that he will say we are contradicting our recent statements, since we dare to say that falsehood exists in opinions and words; for he will say that we are thus forced repeatedly to attribute being to not-being, although we agreed a while ago that nothing could be more impossible than that.
Stranger
Str. You are quite right to remind me. But I think it is high time to consider what ought to be done about the sophist; for you see how easily and repeatedly he can raise objections and difficulties, if we conduct our search by putting him in the guild of false-workers and jugglers.
5
Theaetetus
Theaet. Very true.
Stranger
Str. Yes, we have gone through only a small part of them, and they are, if I may say so, infinite.
Theaetetus
Theaet. It would, apparently, be impossible to catch the sophist, if that is the case.
Stranger
Str. Well, then, shall we weaken and give up the struggle now?
Theaetetus
Theaet. No, I say; we must not do that, if we can in any way get the slightest hold of the fellow.
10
Stranger
Str. Will you then pardon me, and, as your words imply, be content if I somehow withdraw just for a short distance from this strong argument of his?
Theaetetus
Theaet. Of course I will.
Stranger
Str. I have another still more urgent request to make of you.
Theaetetus
Theaet. What is it?
Stranger
Str. Do not assume that I am becoming a sort of parricide.
15
Theaetetus
Theaet. What do you mean?
Stranger
Str. In defending myself I shall have to test the theory of my father Parmenides, and contend forcibly that after a fashion not-being is and on the other hand in a sense being is not.
