387–388
Socrates
Socrates. Now naming is a part of speaking, for in naming I suppose people utter speech.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
Socrates
Socrates. Then is not naming also a kind of action, if speaking is a kind of action concerned with things?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes.
Socrates
Socrates. But we saw that actions are not merely relative to us, but possess a separate nature of their own?
15
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. True.
Socrates
Socrates. Then in naming also, if we are to be consistent with our previous conclusions, we cannot follow our own will, but the way and the instrument which the nature of things prescribes must be employed, must they not? And if we pursue this course we shall be successful in our naming, but otherwise we shall fail.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. I think you are right.
Socrates
Socrates. And again, what has to be cut, we said, has to be cut with something.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
20
Socrates
Socrates. And what has to be woven, has to be woven with something, and what has to be bored, has to be bored with something?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
Socrates
Socrates. And then what has to be named, has to be named with something?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. True.
Socrates
Socrates. And what is that with which we have to bore?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. A borer.
Socrates
Socrates. And that with which we weave?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. A shuttle.
5
Socrates
Socrates. And that with which we must name?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. A name.
