24–25
Socrates
Soc. That is a good suggestion, and I must try to carry it out. However, to avoid waste of time in discussing all the individual examples, see if we can accept this as a designation of the infinite.
Protarchus
Pro. Accept what?
Socrates
Soc. All things which appear to us to become more or less, or to admit of emphatic and gentle and excessive and the like, are to be put in the class of the infinite as their unity, in accordance with what we said a while ago, if you remember, that we ought to collect all things that are scattered and split up and impress upon them to the best of our ability the seal of some single nature.
Protarchus
Pro. I remember.
Socrates
Soc. And the things which do not admit of more and less and the like, but do admit of all that is opposed to them—first equality and the equal, then the double, and anything which is a definite number or measure in relation to such a number or measure— all these might properly be assigned to the class of the finite. What do you say to that?
Protarchus
Pro. Excellent, Socrates.
Socrates
Soc. Well, what shall we say is the nature of the third class, made by combining these two?
5
Protarchus
Pro. You will tell me, I fancy, by answering your own question.
Socrates
Soc. Nay, a god will do so, if any god will give ear to my prayers.
Protarchus
Pro. Pray, then, and watch.
Socrates
Soc. I am watching; and I think, Protarchus, one of the gods has this moment been gracious unto me.
Protarchus
Pro. What do you mean, and what evidence have you?
10
Socrates
Soc. I will tell you, of course. Just follow what I say.
