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[388a]

Hermogenes
True.

Socrates
And what is that with which we have to bore?

Hermogenes
A borer.

Socrates
And that with which we weave?

Hermogenes
A shuttle.

Socrates
And that with which we must name?

Hermogenes
A name.

Socrates
Right. A name also, then, is a kind of instrument.

Hermogenes
Certainly.

Socrates
Then if I were to ask “What instrument is the shuttle?” Is it not that with which we weave?

Hermogenes
Yes. [388b]

Socrates
And what do we do when we weave? Do we not separate the mingled threads of warp and woof?

Hermogenes
Yes.

Socrates
And you could give a similar answer about the borer and the rest, could you not?

Hermogenes
Certainly.

Socrates
And can you say something of the same kind about a name? The name being an instrument, what do we do with it when we name?

Hermogenes
I cannot tell.

Socrates
Do we not teach one another something, and separate things according to their natures?

Hermogenes
Certainly.

Socrates
A name is, then, an instrument of teaching and of separating reality, [388c] as a shuttle is an instrument of separating the web?

Hermogenes
Yes.

Socrates
But the shuttle is an instrument of weaving?

Hermogenes
Of course.

Socrates
The weaver, then, will use the shuttle well, and well means like a weaver; and a teacher will use a name well, and well means like a teacher.

Hermogenes
Yes.

Socrates
Whose work will the weaver use well when he uses the shuttle?

Hermogenes
The carpenter's.

Socrates
Is every one a carpenter, or he who has the skill?

Hermogenes
He who has the skill. [388d]

Socrates
And whose work will the hole-maker use when he uses the borer?

Hermogenes
The smith's.

Socrates
And is every one a smith, or he who has the skill?

Hermogenes
He who has the skill.

Socrates
And whose work will the teacher use when he uses the name?

Hermogenes
I cannot tell that, either.

Socrates
And can you not tell this, either, who gives us the names we use?

Hermogenes
No.

Socrates
Do you not think it is the law that gives them to us?

Hermogenes
Very likely. [388e]

Socrates
Then the teacher, when he uses a name, will be using the work of a lawgiver?

Hermogenes
I think so.

Socrates
Do you think every man is a lawgiver, or only he who has the skill?

Hermogenes
He who has the skill.

Socrates
Then it is not for every man, Hermogenes,


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