429
Socrates
Socrates. Then you do not think that some laws are better, and some worse?
Cratylus
Cratylus. No, I do not.
Socrates
Socrates. And you do not, it appears, think that one name is better, and another worse?
10
Cratylus
Cratylus. No, I do not.
Socrates
Socrates. Then all names are correct?
Cratylus
Cratylus. All that are really names.
Socrates
Socrates. How about the name of our friend Hermogenes, which was mentioned a while ago? Shall we say that it is not his name at all, unless he belongs to the race of Hermes, or that it is his name, but is incorrect?
Cratylus
Cratylus. I think, Socrates, that it is not his name at all; it appears to be his, but is really the name of some one else who possesses the nature that makes the name clear.
15
Socrates
Socrates. And when anyone says that our friend is Hermogenes, is he not even speaking falsely? For perhaps it is not even possible to say that he is Hermogenes, if he is not.
Cratylus
Cratylus. What do you mean?
Socrates
Socrates. Do you mean to say that it is impossible to speak falsehood at all? For there are, my dear Cratylus, many who do so, and who have done so in the past.
Cratylus
Cratylus. Why, Socrates, how could anyone who says that which he says, say that which is not? Is not falsehood saying that which is not?
Socrates
Socrates. Your reasoning is too clever for me at my age, my friend. However, tell me this: Do you think it is possible to speak falsehood, but not to say it?
20
Cratylus
Cratylus. Neither to speak nor to say it.
