384–385
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. For my part, Socrates, I have often talked with Cratylus and many others, and cannot come to the conclusion that there is any correctness of names other than convention and agreement. For it seems to me that whatever name you give to a thing is its right name; and if you give up that name and change it for another, the later name is no less correct than the earlier, just as we change the names of our servants; for I think no name belongs to any particular thing by nature, but only by the habit and custom of those who employ it and who established the usage. But if this is not the case, I am ready to hear and to learn from Cratylus or anyone else.
Socrates
Socrates. It may be that you are right, Hermogenes; but let us see. Whatever name we decide to give each particular thing is its name?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes.
Socrates
Socrates. Whether the giver be a private person or a state?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes.
Socrates
Socrates. Well, then, suppose I give a name to some thing or other, designating, for instance, that which we now call man as horse and that which we now call horse as man, will the real name of the same thing be man for the public and horse for me individually, and in the other case horse for the public and man for me individually? Is that your meaning?
5
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes, that is my opinion.
Socrates
Socrates. Now answer this question. Is there anything which you call speaking the truth and speaking falsehood?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes.
Socrates
Socrates. Then there would be true speech and false speech?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
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