129
Socrates
Soc. Come then, in what way can the same-in-itself This seems to be a sudden adumbration of the Platonic idea or form which remains constant, and so the same, behind the shifting objects of sense related to it through its influences or impress. Cf. below, Plat. Alc. 1.130d. be discovered? For thus we may discover what we are ourselves; whereas if we remain in ignorance of it we must surely fail.
Alcibiades
Alc. Rightly spoken.
Socrates
Soc. Steady, then, in Heaven’s name! To whom are you talking now? To me, are you not?
Socrates
Soc. And I in turn to you ?
10
Socrates
Soc. Then the talker is Socrates?
Alcibiades
Alc. To be sure.
Socrates
Soc. And the hearer, Alcibiades?
Socrates
Soc. And Socrates uses speech in talking?
Alcibiades
Alc. Of course.
Socrates
Soc. And you call talking and using speech the same thing, I suppose.
Alcibiades
Alc. To be sure.
Socrates
Soc. But the user and the thing he uses are different, are they not?
20
Alcibiades
Alc. How do you mean?
Socrates
Soc. For instance, I suppose a shoemaker uses a round tool, and a square one, and others, when he cuts.
Socrates
Soc. And the cutter and user is quite different from what he uses in cutting?
Alcibiades
Alc. Of course.
25
