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Stranger
Str. And the nature of the remaining species, again, considered from the point of view of the square root, is the diameter of the square of our root, if it is the nature of twice two feet. i.e. the remaining species is four-footed. Our diameter is √2, and four is the area of the square constructed on the diagonal of the square which has √2 as its side. All this satirizes the tendency of contemporary thinkers to play with numbers.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Of course; and now I think I almost understand what you wish to make plain.
10
Stranger
Str. Socrates, do we see that besides this something else has turned up in these divisions of ours which would be a famous joke?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. No. What is it?
Stranger
Str. Our human race shares the same lot and runs in the same heat as the most excellent and at the same time most easy-going race of creatures. The animal referred to is the pig. See P. Shorey, Classical Philology,1917, July, p. 308.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes, I see that; it is a very queer result.
Stranger
Str. Indeed? But is it not reasonable that they arrive last, who are the slowest?
15
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes, that is true.
Stranger
Str. And do we fail to notice this further point, that the king appears in a still more ridiculous light, running along with the herd and paired in the race with the man of all others who is most in training for a life of careless ease? i.e. the swineherd, the pig belonging to γένει εὐχερεστάτῳ.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Certainly he does.
