194–195
Socrates
SOC. Now when the heart of anyone is shaggy (a condition which the all-wise poet commends), or when it is unclean or of impure wax, or very soft or hard, those whose wax is soft are quick to learn, but forgetful, and those in whom it is hard are the reverse. But those in whom it is shaggy and rough and stony, infected with earth or dung which is mixed in it, receive indistinct imprints from the moulds.
SO.So also do those whose wax is hard; for the imprints lack depth. And imprints in soft wax are also indistinct, because they melt together and quickly become blurred; but if besides all this they are crowded upon one another through lack of room, in some mean little soul, they are still more indistinct. So all these men are likely to have false opinions. For when they see or hear or think of anything, they cannot quickly assign things to the right imprints, but are slow about it, and because they assign them wrongly they usually see and hear and think amiss. These men, in turn, are accordingly said to be deceived about realities and ignorant.
Theaetetus
THEAET. You are right as right could be, Socrates.
Socrates
SOC. Shall we, then, say that false opinions exist in us?
Theaetetus
THEAET. Assuredly.
Socrates
SOC. And true opinions, no doubt?
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Theaetetus
THEAET. And true ones also.
Socrates
SOC. Then now at last we think we have reached a valid agreement, that these two kinds of opinion incontestably exist?
Theaetetus
THEAET. Most emphatically.
Socrates
SOC. Truly, Theaetetus, a garrulous man is a strange and unpleasant creature!
Theaetetus
THEAET. Eh? What makes you say that?
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