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Socrates
Socrates. Now will he be able, not knowing the truth about a given thing, to recognize in other things the great or small degree of likeness to that which he does not know?
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. It is impossible.
Socrates
Socrates. In the case, then, of those whose opinions are at variance with facts and who are deceived, this error evidently slips in through some resemblances.
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. It does happen in that way.
Socrates
Socrates. Then he who does not understand the real nature of things will not possess the art of making his hearers pass from one thing to its opposite by leading them through the intervening resemblances, or of avoiding such deception himself?
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Phaedrus
Phaedrus. Never in the world.
Socrates
Socrates. Then, my friend, he who knows not the truth, but pursues opinions, will, it seems, attain an art of speech which is ridiculous, and not an art at all.
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. Probably.
Socrates
Socrates. Shall we look in the speech of Lysias, which you have with you, and in what I said, for something which we think shows art and the lack of art?
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. By all means, for now our talk is too abstract, since we lack sufficient examples.
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