HERMOGENES:Why,Socrates?
  SOCRATES:Mygoodfriend,Ihavediscoveredahiveofwisdom。
  HERMOGENES:Ofwhatnature?
  SOCRATES:Well,ratherridiculous,andyetplausible。
  HERMOGENES:Howplausible?
  SOCRATES:IfancytomyselfHeracleitusrepeatingwisetraditionsofantiquityasoldasthedaysofCronosandRhea,andofwhichHomeralsospoke。
  HERMOGENES:Howdoyoumean?
  SOCRATES:Heracleitusissupposedtosaythatallthingsareinmotionandnothingatrest;hecomparesthemtothestreamofariver,andsaysthatyoucannotgointothesamewatertwice。
  HERMOGENES:Thatistrue。
  SOCRATES:Well,then,howcanweavoidinferringthathewhogavethenamesofCronosandRheatotheancestorsoftheGods,agreedprettymuchinthedoctrineofHeracleitus?Isthegivingofthenamesofstreamstobothofthempurelyaccidental?ComparethelineinwhichHomer,and,asI
  believe,Hesiodalso,tellsof’Ocean,theoriginofGods,andmotherTethys(Il。——thelineisnotfoundintheextantworksofHesiod。)。’
  Andagain,Orpheussays,that’ThefairriverofOceanwasthefirsttomarry,andheespousedhissisterTethys,whowashismother’sdaughter。’
  Youseethatthisisaremarkablecoincidence,andallinthedirectionofHeracleitus。
  HERMOGENES:Ithinkthatthereissomethinginwhatyousay,Socrates;butIdonotunderstandthemeaningofthenameTethys。
  SOCRATES:Well,thatisalmostself-explained,beingonlythenameofaspring,alittledisguised;forthatwhichisstrainedandfiltered(diattomenon,ethoumenon)maybelikenedtoaspring,andthenameTethysismadeupofthesetwowords。
  HERMOGENES:Theideaisingenious,Socrates。
  SOCRATES:Tobesure。Butwhatcomesnext?——ofZeuswehavespoken。
  HERMOGENES:Yes。
  SOCRATES:Thenletusnexttakehistwobrothers,PoseidonandPluto,whetherthelatteriscalledbythatorbyhisothername。
  HERMOGENES:Byallmeans。
  SOCRATES:PoseidonisPosidesmos,thechainofthefeet;theoriginalinventorofthenamehadbeenstoppedbythewateryelementinhiswalks,andnotallowedtogoon,andthereforehecalledtherulerofthiselementPoseidon;theepsilonwasprobablyinsertedasanornament。Yet,perhaps,notso;butthenamemayhavebeenoriginallywrittenwithadoublelamdaandnotwithasigma,meaningthattheGodknewmanythings(Pollaeidos)。
  Andperhapsalsohebeingtheshakeroftheearth,hasbeennamedfromshaking(seiein),andthenpianddeltahavebeenadded。Plutogiveswealth(Ploutos),andhisnamemeansthegiverofwealth,whichcomesoutoftheearthbeneath。PeopleingeneralappeartoimaginethatthetermHadesisconnectedwiththeinvisible(aeides)andsotheyareledbytheirfearstocalltheGodPlutoinstead。
  HERMOGENES:Andwhatisthetruederivation?
  SOCRATES:Inspiteofthemistakeswhicharemadeaboutthepowerofthisdeity,andthefoolishfearswhichpeoplehaveofhim,suchasthefearofalwaysbeingwithhimafterdeath,andofthesouldenudedofthebodygoingtohim(compareRep。),mybeliefisthatallisquiteconsistent,andthattheofficeandnameoftheGodreallycorrespond。
  HERMOGENES:Why,howisthat?
  SOCRATES:Iwilltellyoumyownopinion;butfirst,Ishouldliketoaskyouwhichchaindoesanyanimalfeeltobethestronger?andwhichconfineshimmoretothesamespot,——desireornecessity?
  HERMOGENES:Desire,Socrates,isstrongerfar。
  SOCRATES:AnddoyounotthinkthatmanyaonewouldescapefromHades,ifhedidnotbindthosewhodeparttohimbythestrongestofchains?
  HERMOGENES:Assuredlytheywould。
  SOCRATES:Andifbythegreatestofchains,thenbysomedesire,asI
  shouldcertainlyinfer,andnotbynecessity?
  HERMOGENES:Thatisclear。
  SOCRATES:Andtherearemanydesires?
  HERMOGENES:Yes。
  SOCRATES:Andthereforebythegreatestdesire,ifthechainistobethegreatest?
  HERMOGENES:Yes。
  SOCRATES:Andisanydesirestrongerthanthethoughtthatyouwillbemadebetterbyassociatingwithanother?
  HERMOGENES:Certainlynot。
  SOCRATES:Andisnotthatthereason,Hermogenes,whynoone,whohasbeentohim,iswillingtocomebacktous?EventheSirens,likealltherestoftheworld,havebeenlaidunderhisspells。Suchacharm,asIimagine,istheGodabletoinfuseintohiswords。And,accordingtothisview,heistheperfectandaccomplishedSophist,andthegreatbenefactoroftheinhabitantsoftheotherworld;andeventouswhoareuponearthhesendsfrombelowexceedingblessings。Forhehasmuchmorethanhewantsdownthere;whereforeheiscalledPluto(ortherich)。Notealso,thathewillhavenothingtodowithmenwhiletheyareinthebody,butonlywhenthesoulisliberatedfromthedesiresandevilsofthebody。Nowthereisagreatdealofphilosophyandreflectioninthat;forintheirliberatedstatehecanbindthemwiththedesireofvirtue,butwhiletheyareflusteredandmaddenedbythebody,notevenfatherCronoshimselfwouldsufficetokeepthemwithhiminhisownfar-famedchains。
  HERMOGENES:Thereisadealoftruthinwhatyousay。
  SOCRATES:Yes,Hermogenes,andthelegislatorcalledhimHades,notfromtheunseen(aeides)——farotherwise,butfromhisknowledge(eidenai)ofallnoblethings。
  HERMOGENES:Verygood;andwhatdowesayofDemeter,andHere,andApollo,andAthene,andHephaestus,andAres,andtheotherdeities?
  SOCRATES:Demeterisedidousameter,whogivesfoodlikeamother;Hereisthelovelyone(erate)——forZeus,accordingtotradition,lovedandmarriedher;possiblyalsothenamemayhavebeengivenwhenthelegislatorwasthinkingoftheheavens,andmaybeonlyadisguiseoftheair(aer),puttingtheendintheplaceofthebeginning。YouwillrecognizethetruthofthisifyourepeatthelettersofHereseveraltimesover。PeopledreadthenameofPherephattaastheydreadthenameofApollo,——andwithaslittlereason;thefear,ifIamnotmistaken,onlyarisesfromtheirignoranceofthenatureofnames。ButtheygochangingthenameintoPhersephone,andtheyareterrifiedatthis;whereasthenewnamemeansonlythattheGoddessiswise(sophe);forseeingthatallthingsintheworldareinmotion(pheromenon),thatprinciplewhichembracesandtouchesandisabletofollowthem,iswisdom。AndthereforetheGoddessmaybetrulycalledPherepaphe(Pherepapha),orsomenamelikeit,becauseshetouchesthatwhichisinmotion(toupheromenonephaptomene),hereinshowingherwisdom。AndHades,whoiswise,consortswithher,becausesheiswise。TheyalterhernameintoPherephattanow-a-days,becausethepresentgenerationcareforeuphonymorethantruth。Thereistheothername,Apollo,which,asIwassaying,isgenerallysupposedtohavesometerriblesignification。Haveyouremarkedthisfact?
  HERMOGENES:TobesureIhave,andwhatyousayistrue。
  SOCRATES:Butthename,inmyopinion,isreallymostexpressiveofthepoweroftheGod。
  HERMOGENES:Howso?
  SOCRATES:Iwillendeavourtoexplain,forIdonotbelievethatanysinglenamecouldhavebeenbetteradaptedtoexpresstheattributesoftheGod,embracingandinamannersignifyingallfourofthem,——music,andprophecy,andmedicine,andarchery。
  HERMOGENES:Thatmustbeastrangename,andIshouldliketoheartheexplanation。
  SOCRATES:Sayratheranharmoniousname,asbeseemstheGodofHarmony。
  Inthefirstplace,thepurgationsandpurificationswhichdoctorsanddivinersuse,andtheirfumigationswithdrugsmagicalormedicinal,aswellastheirwashingsandlustralsprinklings,havealloneandthesameobject,whichistomakeamanpurebothinbodyandsoul。
  HERMOGENES:Verytrue。
  SOCRATES:AndisnotApollothepurifier,andthewasher,andtheabsolverfromallimpurities?
  HERMOGENES:Verytrue。
  SOCRATES:Theninreferencetohisablutionsandabsolutions,asbeingthephysicianwhoordersthem,hemayberightlycalledApolouon(purifier);orinrespectofhispowersofdivination,andhistruthandsincerity,whichisthesameastruth,hemaybemostfitlycalledAplos,fromaplous(sincere),asintheThessaliandialect,foralltheThessalianscallhimAplos;alsoheisaeiBallon(alwaysshooting),becauseheisamasterarcherwhonevermisses;oragain,thenamemayrefertohismusicalattributes,andthen,asinakolouthos,andakoitis,andinmanyotherwordsthealphaissupposedtomean’together,’sothemeaningofthenameApollowillbe’movingtogether,’whetherinthepolesofheavenastheyarecalled,orintheharmonyofsong,whichistermedconcord,becausehemovesalltogetherbyanharmoniouspower,asastronomersandmusiciansingeniouslydeclare。AndheistheGodwhopresidesoverharmony,andmakesallthingsmovetogether,bothamongGodsandamongmen。Andasinthewordsakolouthosandakoitisthealphaissubstitutedforanomicron,sothenameApollonisequivalenttoomopolon;onlythesecondlambdaisaddedinordertoavoidtheill-omenedsoundofdestruction(apolon)。Nowthesuspicionofthisdestructivepowerstillhauntsthemindsofsomewhodonotconsiderthetruevalueofthename,which,asIwassayingjustnow,hasreferencetoallthepowersoftheGod,whoisthesingleone,theeverdarting,thepurifier,themovertogether(aplous,aeiBallon,apolouon,omopolon)。ThenameoftheMusesandofmusicwouldseemtobederivedfromtheirmakingphilosophicalenquiries(mosthai);andLetoiscalledbythisname,becausesheissuchagentleGoddess,andsowilling(ethelemon)tograntourrequests;orhernamemaybeLetho,assheisoftencalledbystrangers——theyseemtoimplybyitheramiability,andhersmoothandeasy-goingwayofbehaving。Artemisisnamedfromherhealthy(artemes),well-orderednature,andbecauseofherloveofvirginity,perhapsbecausesheisaproficientinvirtue(arete),andperhapsalsoashatingintercourseofthesexes(tonarotonmisesasa)。HewhogavetheGoddesshernamemayhavehadanyorallofthesereasons。
  HERMOGENES:WhatisthemeaningofDionysusandAphrodite?
  SOCRATES:SonofHipponicus,youaskasolemnquestion;thereisaseriousandalsoafacetiousexplanationofboththesenames;theseriousexplanationisnottobehadfromme,butthereisnoobjectiontoyourhearingthefacetiousone;fortheGodstooloveajoke。Dionusosissimplydidousoinon(giverofwine),Didoinusos,ashemightbecalledinfun,——andoinosisproperlyoionous,becausewinemakesthosewhodrink,think(oiesthai)thattheyhaveamind(noun)whentheyhavenone。ThederivationofAphrodite,bornofthefoam(aphros),maybefairlyacceptedontheauthorityofHesiod。
  HERMOGENES:StillthereremainsAthene,whomyou,Socrates,asanAthenian,willsurelynotforget;therearealsoHephaestusandAres。
  SOCRATES:Iamnotlikelytoforgetthem。
  HERMOGENES:No,indeed。
  SOCRATES:ThereisnodifficultyinexplainingtheotherappellationofAthene。
  HERMOGENES:Whatotherappellation?
  SOCRATES:WecallherPallas。
  HERMOGENES:Tobesure。
  SOCRATES:Andwecannotbewronginsupposingthatthisisderivedfromarmeddances。Fortheelevationofoneselforanythingelseabovetheearth,orbytheuseofthehands,wecallshaking(pallein),ordancing。
  HERMOGENES:Thatisquitetrue。
  SOCRATES:ThenthatistheexplanationofthenamePallas?
  HERMOGENES:Yes;butwhatdoyousayoftheothername?
  SOCRATES:Athene?
  HERMOGENES:Yes。
  SOCRATES:Thatisagravermatter,andthere,myfriend,themoderninterpretersofHomermay,Ithink,assistinexplainingtheviewoftheancients。Formostoftheseintheirexplanationsofthepoet,assertthathemeantbyAthene’mind’(nous)and’intelligence’(dianoia),andthemakerofnamesappearstohavehadasingularnotionabouther;andindeedcallsherbyastillhighertitle,’divineintelligence’(Thounoesis),asthoughhewouldsay:ThisisshewhohasthemindofGod(Theonoa);——usingalphaasadialecticalvarietyforeta,andtakingawayiotaandsigma(ThereseemstobesomeerrorintheMSS。Themeaningisthatthewordtheonoa=theounoaisacurtailedformoftheounoesis,buttheomittedlettersdonotagree。)。Perhaps,however,thenameTheonoemaymean’shewhoknowsdivinethings’(Theianoousa)betterthanothers。NorshallwebefarwronginsupposingthattheauthorofitwishedtoidentifythisGoddesswithmoralintelligence(enetheinoesin),andthereforegaveherthenameethonoe;which,however,eitherheorhissuccessorshavealteredintowhattheythoughtanicerform,andcalledherAthene。
  HERMOGENES:ButwhatdoyousayofHephaestus?
  SOCRATES:Speakyouoftheprincelylordoflight(Phaeosistora)?
  HERMOGENES:Surely。
  SOCRATES:EphaistosisPhaistos,andhasaddedtheetabyattraction;thatisobvioustoanybody。
  HERMOGENES:Thatisveryprobable,untilsomemoreprobablenotiongetsintoyourhead。
  SOCRATES:Topreventthat,youhadbetteraskwhatisthederivationofAres。
  HERMOGENES:WhatisAres?
  SOCRATES:Aresmaybecalled,ifyouwill,fromhismanhood(arren)andmanliness,orifyouplease,fromhishardandunchangeablenature,whichisthemeaningofarratos:thelatterisaderivationineverywayappropriatetotheGodofwar。
  HERMOGENES:Verytrue。
  SOCRATES:Andnow,bytheGods,letushavenomoreoftheGods,forIamafraidofthem;askaboutanythingbutthem,andthoushaltseehowthesteedsofEuthyphrocanprance。
  HERMOGENES:OnlyonemoreGod!IshouldliketoknowaboutHermes,ofwhomIamsaidnottobeatrueson。Letusmakehimout,andthenIshallknowwhetherthereisanymeaninginwhatCratylussays。
  SOCRATES:IshouldimaginethatthenameHermeshastodowithspeech,andsignifiesthatheistheinterpreter(ermeneus),ormessenger,orthief,orliar,orbargainer;allthatsortofthinghasagreatdealtodowithlanguage;asIwastellingyou,thewordeireinisexpressiveoftheuseofspeech,andthereisanoften-recurringHomericwordemesato,whichmeans’hecontrived’——outofthesetwowords,eireinandmesasthai,thelegislatorformedthenameoftheGodwhoinventedlanguageandspeech;andwemayimaginehimdictatingtoustheuseofthisname:’Omyfriends,’
  sayshetous,’seeingthatheisthecontriveroftalesorspeeches,youmayrightlycallhimEirhemes。’Andthishasbeenimprovedbyus,aswethink,intoHermes。Irisalsoappearstohavebeencalledfromtheverb’totell’(eirein),becauseshewasamessenger。
  HERMOGENES:ThenIamverysurethatCratyluswasquiterightinsayingthatIwasnotruesonofHermes(Ermogenes),forIamnotagoodhandatspeeches。
  SOCRATES:Thereisalsoreason,myfriend,inPanbeingthedouble-formedsonofHermes。
  HERMOGENES:Howdoyoumakethatout?
  SOCRATES:Youareawarethatspeechsignifiesallthings(pan),andisalwaysturningthemroundandround,andhastwoforms,trueandfalse?
  HERMOGENES:Certainly。
  SOCRATES:IsnotthetruththatisinhimthesmoothorsacredformwhichdwellsaboveamongtheGods,whereasfalsehooddwellsamongmenbelow,andisroughlikethegoatoftragedy;fortalesandfalsehoodshavegenerallytodowiththetragicorgoatishlife,andtragedyistheplaceofthem?
  HERMOGENES:Verytrue。
  SOCRATES:ThensurelyPan,whoisthedeclarerofallthings(pan)andtheperpetualmover(aeipolon)ofallthings,isrightlycalledaipolos(goat-
  herd),hebeingthetwo-formedsonofHermes,smoothinhisupperpart,androughandgoatlikeinhislowerregions。And,asthesonofHermes,heisspeechorthebrotherofspeech,andthatbrothershouldbelikebrotherisnomarvel。But,asIwassaying,mydearHermogenes,letusgetawayfromtheGods。
  HERMOGENES:FromthesesortofGods,byallmeans,Socrates。ButwhyshouldwenotdiscussanotherkindofGods——thesun,moon,stars,earth,aether,air,fire,water,theseasons,andtheyear?
  SOCRATES:Youimposeagreatmanytasksuponme。Still,ifyouwish,I
  willnotrefuse。
  HERMOGENES:Youwillobligeme。
  SOCRATES:Howwouldyouhavemebegin?ShallItakefirstofallhimwhomyoumentionedfirst——thesun?
  HERMOGENES:Verygood。
  SOCRATES:TheoriginofthesunwillprobablybeclearerintheDoricform,fortheDorianscallhimalios,andthisnameisgiventohimbecausewhenheriseshegathers(alizoi)mentogetherorbecauseheisalwaysrollinginhiscourse(aeieileinion)abouttheearth;orfromaiolein,ofwhichthemeaningisthesameaspoikillein(tovariegate),becausehevariegatestheproductionsoftheearth。
  HERMOGENES:Butwhatisselene(themoon)?
  SOCRATES:ThatnameisratherunfortunateforAnaxagoras。
  HERMOGENES:Howso?
  SOCRATES:Thewordseemstoforestallhisrecentdiscovery,thatthemoonreceivesherlightfromthesun。
  HERMOGENES:Whydoyousayso?
  SOCRATES:Thetwowordsselas(brightness)andphos(light)havemuchthesamemeaning?
  HERMOGENES:Yes。
  SOCRATES:Thislightaboutthemoonisalwaysnew(neon)andalwaysold(enon),ifthedisciplesofAnaxagorassaytruly。Forthesuninhisrevolutionalwaysaddsnewlight,andthereistheoldlightofthepreviousmonth。
  HERMOGENES:Verytrue。
  SOCRATES:Themoonisnotunfrequentlycalledselanaia。
  HERMOGENES:True。
  SOCRATES:Andasshehasalightwhichisalwaysoldandalwaysnew(enonneonaei)shemayveryproperlyhavethenameselaenoneoaeia;andthiswhenhammeredintoshapebecomesselanaia。
  HERMOGENES:Arealdithyrambicsortofnamethat,Socrates。Butwhatdoyousayofthemonthandthestars?
  SOCRATES:Meis(month)iscalledfrommeiousthai(tolessen),becausesufferingdiminution;thenameofastra(stars)seemstobederivedfromastrape,whichisanimprovementonanastrope,signifyingtheupsettingoftheeyes(anastrepheinopa)。
  HERMOGENES:Whatdoyousayofpur(fire)andudor(water)?
  SOCRATES:Iamatalosshowtoexplainpur;eitherthemuseofEuthyphrohasdesertedme,orthereissomeverygreatdifficultyintheword。
  Please,however,tonotethecontrivancewhichIadoptwheneverIaminadifficultyofthissort。
  HERMOGENES:Whatisit?
  SOCRATES:Iwilltellyou;butIshouldliketoknowfirstwhetheryoucantellmewhatisthemeaningofthepur?
  HERMOGENES:IndeedIcannot。
  SOCRATES:ShallItellyouwhatIsuspecttobethetrueexplanationofthisandseveralotherwords?——Mybeliefisthattheyareofforeignorigin。FortheHellenes,especiallythosewhowereunderthedominionofthebarbarians,oftenborrowedfromthem。
  HERMOGENES:Whatistheinference?
  SOCRATES:Why,youknowthatanyonewhoseekstodemonstratethefitnessofthesenamesaccordingtotheHelleniclanguage,andnotaccordingtothelanguagefromwhichthewordsarederived,isratherlikelytobeatfault。
  HERMOGENES:Yes,certainly。
  SOCRATES:Wellthen,considerwhetherthispurisnotforeign;forthewordisnoteasilybroughtintorelationwiththeHellenictongue,andthePhrygiansmaybeobservedtohavethesamewordslightlychanged,justastheyhaveudor(water)andkunes(dogs),andmanyotherwords。
  HERMOGENES:Thatistrue。
  SOCRATES:Anyviolentinterpretationsofthewordsshouldbeavoided;forsomethingtosayaboutthemmayeasilybefound。AndthusIgetridofpurandudor。Aer(air),Hermogenes,maybeexplainedastheelementwhichraises(airei)thingsfromtheearth,oraseverflowing(aeirei),orbecausethefluxoftheairiswind,andthepoetscallthewinds’air-
  blasts,’(aetai);hewhousesthetermmaymean,sotospeak,air-flux(aetorroun),inthesenseofwind-flux(pneumatorroun);andbecausethismovingwindmaybeexpressedbyeithertermheemploysthewordair(aer=
  aetesrheo)。Aither(aether)Ishouldinterpretasaeitheer;thismaybecorrectlysaid,becausethiselementisalwaysrunninginafluxabouttheair(aeitheiperitouaerareon)。Themeaningofthewordge(earth)
  comesoutbetterwhenintheformofgaia,fortheearthmaybetrulycalled’mother’(gaia,genneteira),asinthelanguageofHomer(Od。)
  gegaasimeansgegennesthai。
  HERMOGENES:Good。
  SOCRATES:Whatshallwetakenext?
  HERMOGENES:Thereareorai(theseasons),andthetwonamesoftheyear,eniautosandetos。
  SOCRATES:TheoraishouldbespeltintheoldAtticway,ifyoudesiretoknowtheprobabletruthaboutthem;theyarerightlycalledtheoraibecausetheydivide(orizousin)thesummersandwintersandwindsandthefruitsoftheearth。Thewordseniautosandetosappeartobethesame,——
  ’thatwhichbringstolighttheplantsandgrowthsoftheearthintheirturn,andpassestheminreviewwithinitself(eneautoexetazei)’:thisisbrokenupintotwowords,eniautosfromeneauto,andetosfrometazei,justastheoriginalnameofZeuswasdividedintoZenaandDia;andthewholepropositionmeansthathispowerofreviewingfromwithinisone,buthastwonames,twowordsetosandeniautosbeingthusformedoutofasingleproposition。
  HERMOGENES:Indeed,Socrates,youmakesurprisingprogress。
  SOCRATES:Iamrunawaywith。
  HERMOGENES:Verytrue。
  SOCRATES:Butamnotyetatmyutmostspeed。
  HERMOGENES:Ishouldlikeverymuchtoknow,inthenextplace,howyouwouldexplainthevirtues。Whatprincipleofcorrectnessisthereinthosecharmingwords——wisdom,understanding,justice,andtherestofthem?
  SOCRATES:Thatisatremendousclassofnameswhichyouaredisinterring;
  still,asIhaveputonthelion’sskin,Imustnotbefaintofheart;andIsupposethatImustconsiderthemeaningofwisdom(phronesis)andunderstanding(sunesis),andjudgment(gnome),andknowledge(episteme),andallthoseothercharmingwords,asyoucallthem?
  HERMOGENES:Surely,wemustnotleaveoffuntilwefindouttheirmeaning。
  SOCRATES:BythedogofEgyptIhaveanotbadnotionwhichcameintomyheadonlythismoment:Ibelievethattheprimevalgiversofnameswereundoubtedlyliketoomanyofourmodernphilosophers,who,intheirsearchafterthenatureofthings,arealwaysgettingdizzyfromconstantlygoingroundandround,andthentheyimaginethattheworldisgoingroundandroundandmovinginalldirections;andthisappearance,whicharisesoutoftheirowninternalcondition,theysupposetobearealityofnature;
  theythinkthatthereisnothingstableorpermanent,butonlyfluxandmotion,andthattheworldisalwaysfullofeverysortofmotionandchange。TheconsiderationofthenameswhichImentionedhasledmeintomakingthisreflection。
  HERMOGENES:Howisthat,Socrates?
  SOCRATES:Perhapsyoudidnotobservethatinthenameswhichhavebeenjustcited,themotionorfluxorgenerationofthingsismostsurelyindicated。
  HERMOGENES:No,indeed,Ineverthoughtofit。
  SOCRATES:Takethefirstofthosewhichyoumentioned;clearlythatisanameindicativeofmotion。
  HERMOGENES:Whatwasthename?
  SOCRATES:Phronesis(wisdom),whichmaysignifyphoraskairhounoesis(perceptionofmotionandflux),orperhapsphorasonesis(theblessingofmotion),butisatanyrateconnectedwithpheresthai(motion);gnome(judgment),again,certainlyimpliestheponderationorconsideration(nomesis)ofgeneration,fortoponderisthesameastoconsider;or,ifyouwouldrather,hereisnoesis,theverywordjustnowmentioned,whichisneouesis(thedesireofthenew);thewordneosimpliesthattheworldisalwaysinprocessofcreation。Thegiverofthenamewantedtoexpressthislongingofthesoul,fortheoriginalnamewasneoesis,andnotnoesis;butetatooktheplaceofadoubleepsilon。Thewordsophrosuneisthesalvation(soteria)ofthatwisdom(phronesis)whichwewerejustnowconsidering。Epioteme(knowledge)isakintothis,andindicatesthatthesoulwhichisgoodforanythingfollows(epetai)themotionofthings,neitheranticipatingthemnorfallingbehindthem;whereforethewordshouldratherbereadasepistemene,insertingepsilonnu。Sunesis(understanding)mayberegardedinlikemannerasakindofconclusion;thewordisderivedfromsunienai(togoalongwith),and,likeepistasthai(toknow),impliestheprogressionofthesoulincompanywiththenatureofthings。Sophia(wisdom)isverydark,andappearsnottobeofnativegrowth;themeaningis,touchingthemotionorstreamofthings。Youmustrememberthatthepoets,whentheyspeakofthecommencementofanyrapidmotion,oftenusethewordesuthe(herushed);andtherewasafamousLacedaemonianwhowasnamedSous(Rush),forbythiswordtheLacedaemonianssignifyrapidmotion,andthetouching(epaphe)ofmotionisexpressedbysophia,forallthingsaresupposedtobeinmotion。Good(agathon)isthenamewhichisgiventotheadmirable(agasto)innature;
  for,althoughallthingsmove,stilltherearedegreesofmotion;someareswifter,someslower;buttherearesomethingswhichareadmirablefortheirswiftness,andthisadmirablepartofnatureiscalledagathon。
  Dikaiosune(justice)isclearlydikaiousunesis(understandingofthejust);buttheactualworddikaionismoredifficult:menareonlyagreedtoacertainextentaboutjustice,andthentheybegintodisagree。Forthosewhosupposeallthingstobeinmotionconceivethegreaterpartofnaturetobeamerereceptacle;andtheysaythatthereisapenetratingpowerwhichpassesthroughallthis,andistheinstrumentofcreationinall,andisthesubtlestandswiftestelement;forifitwerenotthesubtlest,andapowerwhichnonecankeepout,andalsotheswiftest,passingbyotherthingsasiftheywerestandingstill,itcouldnotpenetratethroughthemovinguniverse。Andthiselement,whichsuperintendsallthingsandpierces(diaion)all,isrightlycalleddikaion;theletterkisonlyaddedforthesakeofeuphony。Thusfar,asIwassaying,thereisageneralagreementaboutthenatureofjustice;butI,Hermogenes,beinganenthusiasticdisciple,havebeentoldinamysterythatthejusticeofwhichIamspeakingisalsothecauseoftheworld:
  nowacauseisthatbecauseofwhichanythingiscreated;andsomeonecomesandwhispersinmyearthatjusticeisrightlysocalledbecausepartakingofthenatureofthecause,andIbegin,afterhearingwhathehassaid,tointerrogatehimgently:’Well,myexcellentfriend,’sayI,’butifallthisbetrue,Istillwanttoknowwhatisjustice。’ThereupontheythinkthatIasktiresomequestions,andamleapingoverthebarriers,andhavebeenalreadysufficientlyanswered,andtheytrytosatisfymewithonederivationafteranother,andatlengththeyquarrel。Foroneofthemsaysthatjusticeisthesun,andthatheonlyisthepiercing(diaionta)andburning(kaonta)elementwhichistheguardianofnature。
  AndwhenIjoyfullyrepeatthisbeautifulnotion,Iamansweredbythesatiricalremark,’What,istherenojusticeintheworldwhenthesunisdown?’AndwhenIearnestlybegmyquestionertotellmehisownhonestopinion,hesays,’Fireintheabstract’;butthisisnotveryintelligible。Anothersays,’No,notfireintheabstract,buttheabstractionofheatinthefire。’Anothermanprofessestolaughatallthis,andsays,asAnaxagorassays,thatjusticeismind,formind,astheysay,hasabsolutepower,andmixeswithnothing,andordersallthings,andpassesthroughallthings。Atlast,myfriend,IfindmyselfinfargreaterperplexityaboutthenatureofjusticethanIwasbeforeIbegantolearn。ButstillIamofopinionthatthename,whichhasledmeintothisdigression,wasgiventojusticeforthereasonswhichIhavementioned。
  HERMOGENES:Ithink,Socrates,thatyouarenotimprovisingnow;youmusthaveheardthisfromsomeoneelse。
  SOCRATES:Andnottherest?
  HERMOGENES:Hardly。
  SOCRATES:Well,then,letmegooninthehopeofmakingyoubelieveintheoriginalityoftherest。Whatremainsafterjustice?Idonotthinkthatwehaveasyetdiscussedcourage(andreia),——injustice(adikia),whichisobviouslynothingmorethanahindrancetothepenetratingprinciple(diaiontos),neednotbeconsidered。Well,then,thenameofandreiaseemstoimplyabattle;——thisbattleisintheworldofexistence,andaccordingtothedoctrineoffluxisonlythecounterflux(enantiarhon):ifyouextractthedeltafromandreia,thenameatoncesignifiesthething,andyoumayclearlyunderstandthatandreiaisnotthestreamopposedtoeverystream,butonlytothatwhichiscontrarytojustice,forotherwisecouragewouldnothavebeenpraised。Thewordsarren(male)andaner(man)
  alsocontainasimilarallusiontothesameprincipleoftheupwardflux(teanorhon)。Gune(woman)Isuspecttobethesamewordasgoun(birth):
  thelu(female)appearstobepartlyderivedfromthele(theteat),becausetheteatislikerain,andmakesthingsflourish(tethelenai)。
  HERMOGENES:Thatissurelyprobable。
  SOCRATES:Yes;andtheverywordthallein(toflourish)seemstofigurethegrowthofyouth,whichisswiftandsuddenever。Andthisisexpressedbythelegislatorinthename,whichisacompoundofthein(running),andallesthai(leaping)。PrayobservehowIgallopawaywhenIgetonsmoothground。Thereareagoodmanynamesgenerallythoughttobeofimportance,whichhavestilltobeexplained。
  HERMOGENES:True。
  SOCRATES:Thereisthemeaningofthewordtechne(art),forexample。
  HERMOGENES:Verytrue。
  SOCRATES:Thatmaybeidentifiedwithechonoe,andexpressesthepossessionofmind:youhaveonlytotakeawaythetauandinserttwoomichrons,onebetweenthechiandnu,andanotherbetweenthenuandeta。
  HERMOGENES:Thatisaveryshabbyetymology。
  SOCRATES:Yes,mydearfriend;butthenyouknowthattheoriginalnameshavebeenlongagoburiedanddisguisedbypeoplestickingonandstrippingofflettersforthesakeofeuphony,andtwistingandbedizeningtheminallsortsofways:andtimetoomayhavehadashareinthechange。Take,forexample,thewordkatoptron;whyistheletterrhoinserted?Thismustsurelybetheadditionofsomeonewhocaresnothingaboutthetruth,butthinksonlyofputtingthemouthintoshape。Andtheadditionsareoftensuchthatatlastnohumanbeingcanpossiblymakeouttheoriginalmeaningoftheword。Anotherexampleisthewordsphigx,sphiggos,whichoughtproperlytobephigx,phiggos,andthereareotherexamples。
  HERMOGENES:Thatisquitetrue,Socrates。
  SOCRATES:Andyet,ifyouarepermittedtoputinandpulloutanyletterswhichyouplease,nameswillbetooeasilymade,andanynamemaybeadaptedtoanyobject。
  HERMOGENES:True。
  SOCRATES:Yes,thatistrue。Andthereforeawisedictator,likeyourself,shouldobservethelawsofmoderationandprobability。
  HERMOGENES:Suchismydesire。
  SOCRATES:Andmine,too,Hermogenes。Butdonotbetoomuchofaprecisian,or’youwillunnervemeofmystrength(Iliad。)。’Whenyouhaveallowedmetoaddmechane(contrivance)totechne(art)Ishallbeatthetopofmybent,forIconceivemechanetobeasignofgreataccomplishment——anein;formekoshasthemeaningofgreatness,andthesetwo,mekosandanein,makeupthewordmechane。But,asIwassaying,beingnowatthetopofmybent,Ishouldliketoconsiderthemeaningofthetwowordsarete(virtue)andkakia(vice);areteIdonotasyetunderstand,butkakiaistransparent,andagreeswiththeprincipleswhichpreceded,forallthingsbeinginaflux(ionton),kakiaiskakosion(goingbadly);andthisevilmotionwhenexistinginthesoulhasthegeneralnameofkakia,orvice,speciallyappropriatedtoit。Themeaningofkakosienaimaybefurtherillustratedbytheuseofdeilia(cowardice),whichoughttohavecomeafterandreia,butwasforgotten,and,asIfear,isnottheonlywordwhichhasbeenpassedover。Deiliasignifiesthatthesoulisboundwithastrongchain(desmos),forlianmeansstrength,andthereforedeiliaexpressesthegreatestandstrongestbondofthesoul;andaporia(difficulty)isanevilofthesamenature(froma(alpha)not,andporeuesthaitogo),likeanythingelsewhichisanimpedimenttomotionandmovement。Thenthewordkakiaappearstomeankakosienai,orgoingbadly,orlimpingandhalting;ofwhichtheconsequenceis,thatthesoulbecomesfilledwithvice。Andifkakiaisthenameofthissortofthing,aretewillbetheoppositeofit,signifyinginthefirstplaceeaseofmotion,thenthatthestreamofthegoodsoulisunimpeded,andhasthereforetheattributeofeverflowingwithoutletorhindrance,andisthereforecalledarete,or,morecorrectly,aeireite(ever-flowing),andmayperhapshavehadanotherform,airete(eligible),indicatingthatnothingismoreeligiblethanvirtue,andthishasbeenhammeredintoarete。Idaresaythatyouwilldeemthistobeanotherinventionofmine,butIthinkthatifthepreviouswordkakiawasright,thenareteisalsoright。
  HERMOGENES:Butwhatisthemeaningofkakon,whichhasplayedsogreatapartinyourpreviousdiscourse?
  SOCRATES:ThatisaverysingularwordaboutwhichIcanhardlyformanopinion,andthereforeImusthaverecoursetomyingeniousdevice。
  HERMOGENES:Whatdevice?
  SOCRATES:Thedeviceofaforeignorigin,whichIshallgivetothiswordalso。
  HERMOGENES:Verylikelyyouareright;butsupposethatweleavethesewordsandendeavourtoseetherationaleofkalonandaischron。
  SOCRATES:Themeaningofaischronisevident,beingonlyaeiischonroes(alwayspreventingfromflowing),andthisisinaccordancewithourformerderivations。Forthename-giverwasagreatenemytostagnationofallsorts,andhencehegavethenameaeischorountothatwhichhinderedtheflux(aeiischonroun),andthatisnowbeatentogetherintoaischron。
  HERMOGENES:Butwhatdoyousayofkalon?
  SOCRATES:Thatismoreobscure;yettheformisonlyduetothequantity,andhasbeenchangedbyalteringomicronupsilonintoomicron。
  HERMOGENES:Whatdoyoumean?
  SOCRATES:Thisnameappearstodenotemind。
  HERMOGENES:Howso?
  SOCRATES:Letmeaskyouwhatisthecausewhyanythinghasaname;isnottheprinciplewhichimposesthenamethecause?
  HERMOGENES:Certainly。
  SOCRATES:AndmustnotthisbethemindofGods,orofmen,orofboth?
  HERMOGENES:Yes。
  SOCRATES:Isnotmindthatwhichcalled(kalesan)thingsbytheirnames,andisnotmindthebeautiful(kalon)?
  HERMOGENES:Thatisevident。
  SOCRATES:Andarenottheworksofintelligenceandmindworthyofpraise,andarenototherworksworthyofblame?
  HERMOGENES:Certainly。
  SOCRATES:Physicdoestheworkofaphysician,andcarpenteringdoestheworksofacarpenter?
  HERMOGENES:Exactly。
  SOCRATES:Andtheprincipleofbeautydoestheworksofbeauty?
  HERMOGENES:Ofcourse。
  SOCRATES:Andthatprincipleweaffirmtobemind?
  HERMOGENES:Verytrue。
  SOCRATES:Thenmindisrightlycalledbeautybecauseshedoestheworkswhichwerecognizeandspeakofasthebeautiful?
  HERMOGENES:Thatisevident。
  SOCRATES:Whatmorenamesremaintous?
  HERMOGENES:Therearethewordswhichareconnectedwithagathonandkalon,suchassumpheronandlusiteloun,ophelimon,kerdaleon,andtheiropposites。
  SOCRATES:Themeaningofsumpheron(expedient)Ithinkthatyoumaydiscoverforyourselfbythelightofthepreviousexamples,——foritisasisterwordtoepisteme,meaningjustthemotion(pora)ofthesoulaccompanyingtheworld,andthingswhicharedoneuponthisprinciplearecalledsumphoraorsumpheronta,becausetheyarecarriedroundwiththeworld。
  HERMOGENES:Thatisprobable。
  SOCRATES:Again,cherdaleon(gainful)iscalledfromcherdos(gain),butyoumustalterthedeltaintonuifyouwanttogetatthemeaning;forthiswordalsosignifiesgood,butinanotherway;hewhogavethenameintendedtoexpressthepowerofadmixture(kerannumenon)anduniversalpenetrationinthegood;informingtheword,however,heinsertedadeltainsteadofanu,andsomadekerdos。
  HERMOGENES:Well,butwhatislusiteloun(profitable)?
  SOCRATES:Isuppose,Hermogenes,thatpeopledonotmeanbytheprofitablethegainfulorthatwhichpays(luei)theretailer,buttheyusethewordinthesenseofswift。Youregardtheprofitable(lusiteloun),asthatwhichbeingtheswiftestthinginexistence,allowsofnostayinthingsandnopauseorendofmotion,butalways,iftherebeginstobeanyend,letsthingsgoagain(luei),andmakesmotionimmortalandunceasing:andinthispointofview,asappearstome,thegoodishappilydenominatedlusiteloun——beingthatwhichlooses(luon)theend(telos)ofmotion。
  Ophelimon(theadvantageous)isderivedfromophellein,meaningthatwhichcreatesandincreases;thislatterisacommonHomericword,andhasaforeigncharacter。
  HERMOGENES:Andwhatdoyousayoftheiropposites?
  SOCRATES:OfsuchasaremerenegativesIhardlythinkthatIneedspeak。
  HERMOGENES:Whicharethey?
  SOCRATES:Thewordsaxumphoron(inexpedient),anopheles(unprofitable),alusiteles(unadvantageous),akerdes(ungainful)。
  HERMOGENES:True。
  SOCRATES:Iwouldrathertakethewordsblaberon(harmful),zemiodes(hurtful)。
  HERMOGENES:Good。
  SOCRATES:Thewordblaberonisthatwhichissaidtohinderorharm(blaptein)thestream(roun);blaptonisboulomenonaptein(seekingtoholdorbind);forapteinisthesameasdein,anddeinisalwaysatermofcensure;boulomenonapteinroun(wantingtobindthestream)wouldproperlybeboulapteroun,andthis,asIimagine,isimprovedintoblaberon。
  HERMOGENES:Youbringoutcuriousresults,Socrates,intheuseofnames;
  andwhenIhearthewordboulapterounIcannothelpimaginingthatyouaremakingyourmouthintoaflute,andpuffingawayatsomepreludetoAthene。
  SOCRATES:Thatisthefaultofthemakersofthename,Hermogenes;notmine。
  HERMOGENES:Verytrue;butwhatisthederivationofzemiodes?
  SOCRATES:Whatisthemeaningofzemiodes?——letmeremark,Hermogenes,howrightIwasinsayingthatgreatchangesaremadeinthemeaningofwordsbyputtinginandpullingoutletters;evenaveryslightpermutationwillsometimesgiveanentirelyoppositesense;Imayinstancetheworddeon,whichoccurstomeatthemoment,andremindsmeofwhatIwasgoingtosaytoyou,thatthefinefashionablelanguageofmoderntimeshastwistedanddisguisedandentirelyalteredtheoriginalmeaningbothofdeon,andalsoofzemiodes,whichintheoldlanguageisclearlyindicated。
  HERMOGENES:Whatdoyoumean?
  SOCRATES:Iwilltrytoexplain。Youareawarethatourforefatherslovedthesoundsiotaanddelta,especiallythewomen,whoaremostconservativeoftheancientlanguage,butnowtheychangeiotaintoetaorepsilon,anddeltaintozeta;thisissupposedtoincreasethegrandeurofthesound。
  HERMOGENES:Howdoyoumean?
  SOCRATES:Forexample,inveryancienttimestheycalledthedayeitherimeraoremera(shorte),whichiscalledbyusemera(longe)。
  HERMOGENES:Thatistrue。
  SOCRATES:Doyouobservethatonlytheancientformshowstheintentionofthegiverofthename?ofwhichthereasonis,thatmenlongfor(imeirousi)andlovethelightwhichcomesafterthedarkness,andisthereforecalledimera,fromimeros,desire。
  HERMOGENES:Clearly。
  SOCRATES:Butnowthenameissotravestiedthatyoucannottellthemeaning,althoughtherearesomewhoimaginethedaytobecalledemerabecauseitmakesthingsgentle(emeradifferentaccents)。
  HERMOGENES:Suchismyview。
  SOCRATES:Anddoyouknowthattheancientssaidduogonandnotzugon?
  HERMOGENES:Theydidso。
  SOCRATES:Andzugon(yoke)hasnomeaning,——itoughttobeduogon,whichwordexpressesthebindingoftwotogether(dueinagoge)forthepurposeofdrawing;——thishasbeenchangedintozugon,andtherearemanyotherexamplesofsimilarchanges。
  HERMOGENES:Thereare。
  SOCRATES:ProceedinginthesametrainofthoughtImayremarkthattheworddeon(obligation)hasameaningwhichistheoppositeofalltheotherappellationsofgood;fordeonishereaspeciesofgood,andis,nevertheless,thechain(desmos)orhindererofmotion,andthereforeownbrotherofblaberon。
  HERMOGENES:Yes,Socrates;thatisquiteplain。
  SOCRATES:Notifyourestoretheancientform,whichismorelikelytobethecorrectone,andreaddioninsteadofdeon;ifyouconverttheepsilonintoaniotaaftertheoldfashion,thiswordwillthenagreewithotherwordsmeaninggood;fordion,notdeon,signifiesthegood,andisatermofpraise;andtheauthorofnameshasnotcontradictedhimself,butinallthesevariousappellations,deon(obligatory),ophelimon(advantageous),lusiteloun(profitable),kerdaleon(gainful),agathon(good),sumpheron(expedient),euporon(plenteous),thesameconceptionisimpliedoftheorderingorall-pervadingprinciplewhichispraised,andtherestrainingandbindingprinciplewhichiscensured。Andthisisfurtherillustratedbythewordzemiodes(hurtful),whichifthezetaisonlychangedintodeltaasintheancientlanguage,becomesdemiodes;andthisname,asyouwillperceive,isgiventothatwhichbindsmotion(dountiion)。
  HERMOGENES:Whatdoyousayofedone(pleasure),lupe(pain),epithumia(desire),andthelike,Socrates?
  SOCRATES:Idonotthink,Hermogenes,thatthereisanygreatdifficultyaboutthem——edoneise(eta)onesis,theactionwhichtendstoadvantage;
  andtheoriginalformmaybesupposedtohavebeeneone,butthishasbeenalteredbytheinsertionofthedelta。Lupeappearstobederivedfromtherelaxation(luein)whichthebodyfeelswheninsorrow;ania(trouble)isthehindranceofmotion(alphaandienai);algedon(distress),ifIamnotmistaken,isaforeignword,whichisderivedfromaleinos(grievous);
  odune(grief)iscalledfromtheputtingon(endusis)sorrow;inachthedon(vexation)’thewordtoolabours,’asanyonemaysee;chara(joy)istheveryexpressionofthefluencyanddiffusionofthesoul(cheo);terpsis(delight)issocalledfromthepleasurecreeping(erpon)throughthesoul,whichmaybelikenedtoabreath(pnoe)andisproperlyerpnoun,buthasbeenalteredbytimeintoterpnon;eupherosune(cheerfulness)andepithumiaexplainthemselves;theformer,whichoughttobeeupherosuneandhasbeenchangedeuphrosune,isnamed,aseveryonemaysee,fromthesoulmoving(pheresthai)inharmonywithnature;epithumiaisreallyeepitonthumoniousadunamis,thepowerwhichentersintothesoul;thumos(passion)iscalledfromtherushing(thuseos)andboilingofthesoul;imeros(desire)
  denotesthestream(rous)whichmostdrawsthesouldiatenesintesroes——
  becauseflowingwithdesire(iemenos),andexpressesalongingafterthingsandviolentattractionofthesoultothem,andistermedimerosfrompossessingthispower;pothos(longing)isexpressiveofthedesireofthatwhichisnotpresentbutabsent,andinanotherplace(pou);thisisthereasonwhythenamepothosisappliedtothingsabsent,asimerosistothingspresent;eros(love)issocalledbecauseflowingin(esron)fromwithout;thestreamisnotinherent,butisaninfluenceintroducedthroughtheeyes,andfromflowinginwascalledesros(influx)intheoldtimewhentheyusedomicronforomega,andiscallederos,nowthatomegaissubstitutedforomicron。Butwhydoyounotgivemeanotherword?
  HERMOGENES:Whatdoyouthinkofdoxa(opinion),andthatclassofwords?
  SOCRATES:Doxaiseitherderivedfromdioxis(pursuit),andexpressesthemarchofthesoulinthepursuitofknowledge,orfromtheshootingofabow(toxon);thelatterismorelikely,andisconfirmedbyoiesis(thinking),whichisonlyoisis(moving),andimpliesthemovementofthesoultotheessentialnatureofeachthing——justasboule(counsel)hastodowithshooting(bole);andboulesthai(towish)combinesthenotionofaiminganddeliberating——allthesewordsseemtofollowdoxa,andallinvolvetheideaofshooting,justasaboulia,absenceofcounsel,ontheotherhand,isamishap,ormissing,ormistakingofthemark,oraim,orproposal,orobject。
  HERMOGENES:Youarequickeningyourpacenow,Socrates。
  SOCRATES:Whyyes,theendInowdedicatetoGod,not,however,untilI
  haveexplainedanagke(necessity),whichoughttocomenext,andekousion(thevoluntary)。Ekousioniscertainlytheyielding(eikon)andunresisting——thenotionimpliedisyieldingandnotopposing,yielding,asIwasjustnowsaying,tothatmotionwhichisinaccordancewithourwill;
  butthenecessaryandresistantbeingcontrarytoourwill,implieserrorandignorance;theideaistakenfromwalkingthrougharavinewhichisimpassable,andrugged,andovergrown,andimpedesmotion——andthisisthederivationofthewordanagkaion(necessary)anagkeion,goingthrougharavine。Butwhilemystrengthlastsletuspersevere,andIhopethatyouwillperseverewithyourquestions。
  HERMOGENES:Well,then,letmeaskaboutthegreatestandnoblest,suchasaletheia(truth)andpseudos(falsehood)andon(being),notforgettingtoenquirewhythewordonoma(name),whichisthethemeofourdiscussion,hasthisnameofonoma。
  SOCRATES:Youknowthewordmaiesthai(toseek)?
  HERMOGENES:Yes;——meaningthesameaszetein(toenquire)。
  SOCRATES:Thewordonomaseemstobeacompressedsentence,signifyingonouzetema(beingforwhichthereisasearch);asisstillmoreobviousinonomaston(notable),whichstatesinsomanywordsthatrealexistenceisthatforwhichthereisaseeking(onoumasma);aletheiaisalsoanagglomerationoftheiaale(divinewandering),implyingthedivinemotionofexistence;pseudos(falsehood)istheoppositeofmotion;hereisanotherillnamegivenbythelegislatortostagnationandforcedinaction,whichhecomparestosleep(eudein);buttheoriginalmeaningofthewordisdisguisedbytheadditionofpsi;onandousiaareionwithaniotabrokenoff;thisagreeswiththetrueprinciple,forbeing(on)isalsomoving(ion),andthesamemaybesaidofnotbeing,whichislikewisecallednotgoing(oukionoroukion=oukion)。
  HERMOGENES:Youhavehammeredawayatthemmanfully;butsupposethatsomeoneweretosaytoyou,whatisthewordion,andwhatarereonanddoun?——
  showmetheirfitness。
  SOCRATES:Youmeantosay,howshouldIanswerhim?
  HERMOGENES:Yes。
  SOCRATES:Onewayofgivingtheappearanceofananswerhasbeenalreadysuggested。
  HERMOGENES:Whatway?
  SOCRATES:Tosaythatnameswhichwedonotunderstandareofforeignorigin;andthisisverylikelytherightanswer,andsomethingofthiskindmaybetrueofthem;butalsotheoriginalformsofwordsmayhavebeenlostinthelapseofages;nameshavebeensotwistedinallmannerofways,thatIshouldnotbesurprisediftheoldlanguagewhencomparedwiththatnowinusewouldappeartoustobeabarbaroustongue。