256–257
Stranger
Str. Now how about the next point? Shall we say next that motion is other than the three, but not other than the fourth,—that is, if we have agreed that the classes about which and within which we undertook to carry on our inquiry are five in number?
Theaetetus
Theaet. How can we say that? For we cannot admit that the number is less than was shown just now.
20
Stranger
Str. Then we may fearlessly persist in contending that motion is other than being?
Theaetetus
Theaet. Yes, most fearlessly.
Stranger
Str. It is clear, then, that motion really is not, and also that it is, since it partakes of being?
Theaetetus
Theaet. That is perfectly clear.
Stranger
Str. In relation to motion, then, not-being is. That is inevitable. And this extends to all the classes; for in all of them the nature of other so operates as to make each one other than being, and therefore not-being. So we may, from this point of view, rightly say of all of them alike that they are not; and again, since they partake of being, that they are and have being.
25
Theaetetus
Theaet. Yes, I suppose so.
Stranger
Str. And so, in relation to each of the classes, being is many, and not-being is infinite in number. Being is many, for each and every thing in all the classes is; but not-being is infinite, for not only is it true that everything in each of the classes is not, but not-being extends also to all conceptions which do not and cannot have any reality.
Theaetetus
Theaet. So it seems.
Stranger
Str. Then being itself must also be said to be other than all other things.
Theaetetus
Theaet. Yes, it must.
