438
Socrates
Socrates. Then, in your opinion, he who gave the names, though he was a spirit or a god, would have given names which made him contradict himself? Or do you think there is no sense in what we were saying just now?
Cratylus
Cratylus. But, Socrates, those that make up one of the two classes are not really names.
10
Socrates
Socrates. Which of the two, my excellent friend; the class of those which point towards rest or of those that point towards motion? We agreed just now that the matter is not to be determined by mere numbers.
Cratylus
Cratylus. No; that would not be right, Socrates.
Socrates
Socrates. Then since the names are in conflict, and some of them claim that they are like the truth, and others that they are, how can we decide, and upon what shall we base our decision? Certainly not upon other names differing from these, for there are none. No, it is plain that we must look for something else, not names, which shall show us which of these two kinds are the true names, which of them, that is to say, show the truth of things.
Cratylus
Cratylus. That is my opinion.
Socrates
Socrates. Then if that is true, Cratylus, it seems that things may be learned without names.
15
Cratylus
Cratylus. So it appears.
Socrates
Socrates. What other way is left by which you could expect to know them? What other than the natural and the straightest way, through each other, if they are akin, and through themselves? For that which is other and different from them would signify not them, but something other and different.
Cratylus
Cratylus. I think that is true.
