"Sophist" - читать интересную книгу автора (Plato)

answer.

Soc. Then do not, Stranger, deny us the first favour which we ask of

you: I am sure that you will not, and therefore I shall only beg of

you to say whether you like and are accustomed to make a long

oration on a subject which you want to explain to another, or to

proceed by the method of question and answer. I remember hearing a

very noble discussion in which Parmenides employed the latter of the

two methods, when I was a young man, and he was far advanced in years.

Str. I prefer to talk with another when he responds pleasantly,

and is light in hand; if not, I would rather have my own say.

Soc. Any one of the present company will respond kindly to you,

and you can choose whom you like of them; I should recommend you to

take a young person-Theaetetus, for example-unless you have a

preference for some one else.

Str. I feel ashamed, Socrates, being a new comer into your

society, instead of talking a little and hearing others talk, to be

spinning out a long soliloquy or address, as if I wanted to show

off. For the true answer will certainly be a very long one, a great

deal longer than might be expected from such a short and simple

question. At the same time, I fear that I may seem rude and ungracious

if I refuse your courteous request, especially after what you have

said. For I certainly cannot object to your proposal, that

Theaetetus should respond, having already conversed with him myself,

and being recommended by you to take him.

Theaetetus. But are you sure, Stranger, that this will be quite so