[145a]
we must consider whether he who speaks is a painter, or not.Theaetetus
I think we must.Socrates
Well, is Theodorus a painter?Theaetetus
Not so far as I know.Socrates
Nor a geometrician, either?Theaetetus
Oh yes, decidedly, Socrates.Socrates
And an astronomer, and an arithmetician, and a musician, and in general an educated man?Theaetetus
I think so.Socrates
Well then, if he says, either in praise or blame, that we have some physical resemblance, it is not especially worth while to pay attention to him.Theaetetus
Perhaps not. [145b] Socrates
But what if he should praise the soul of one of us for virtue and wisdom? Is it not worth while for the one who hears to examine eagerly the one who is praised, and for that one to exhibit his qualities with eagerness?Theaetetus
Certainly, Socrates.Socrates
Then, my dear Theaetetus, this is just the time for you to exhibit your qualities and for me to examine them; for I assure you that Theodorus, though he has praised many foreigners and citizens to me, never praised anyone as he praised you just now.Theaetetus
A good idea, Socrates; but make sure [145c] that he was not speaking in jest.Socrates
That is not Theodorus's way. But do not seek to draw back from your agreement on the pretext that he is jesting, or he will be forced to testify under oath; for certainly no one will accuse him of perjury. Come, be courageous and hold to the agreement.Theaetetus
I suppose I must, if you say so.Socrates
Now tell me; I suppose you learn some geometry from Theodorus?Theaetetus
Yes. [145d] Socrates
And astronomy and harmony and arithmetic?Theaetetus
I try hard to do so.Socrates
And so do I, my boy, from him and from any others who I think know anything about these things. But nevertheless, although in other respects I get on fairly well in them, yet I am in doubt about one little matter, which should be investigated with your help and that of these others. Tell me, is not learning growing wiser about that which one learns?Theaetetus
Of course.Socrates
And the wise, I suppose, are wise by wisdom.Theaetetus
Yes. [145e] Socrates
And does this differ at all from knowledge?Theaetetus
Does what differ?Socrates
Wisdom. Or are not people wise in that of which they have knowledge?Theaetetus
Of course.Socrates
Then knowledge and wisdom are the same thing?Theaetetus
Yes.Socrates
Well, it is just this that I am in doubt about and cannot fully grasp by my own efforts—what knowledge really is.
I think we must.Socrates
Well, is Theodorus a painter?Theaetetus
Not so far as I know.Socrates
Nor a geometrician, either?Theaetetus
Oh yes, decidedly, Socrates.Socrates
And an astronomer, and an arithmetician, and a musician, and in general an educated man?Theaetetus
I think so.Socrates
Well then, if he says, either in praise or blame, that we have some physical resemblance, it is not especially worth while to pay attention to him.Theaetetus
Perhaps not. [145b] Socrates
But what if he should praise the soul of one of us for virtue and wisdom? Is it not worth while for the one who hears to examine eagerly the one who is praised, and for that one to exhibit his qualities with eagerness?Theaetetus
Certainly, Socrates.Socrates
Then, my dear Theaetetus, this is just the time for you to exhibit your qualities and for me to examine them; for I assure you that Theodorus, though he has praised many foreigners and citizens to me, never praised anyone as he praised you just now.Theaetetus
A good idea, Socrates; but make sure [145c] that he was not speaking in jest.Socrates
That is not Theodorus's way. But do not seek to draw back from your agreement on the pretext that he is jesting, or he will be forced to testify under oath; for certainly no one will accuse him of perjury. Come, be courageous and hold to the agreement.Theaetetus
I suppose I must, if you say so.Socrates
Now tell me; I suppose you learn some geometry from Theodorus?Theaetetus
Yes. [145d] Socrates
And astronomy and harmony and arithmetic?Theaetetus
I try hard to do so.Socrates
And so do I, my boy, from him and from any others who I think know anything about these things. But nevertheless, although in other respects I get on fairly well in them, yet I am in doubt about one little matter, which should be investigated with your help and that of these others. Tell me, is not learning growing wiser about that which one learns?Theaetetus
Of course.Socrates
And the wise, I suppose, are wise by wisdom.Theaetetus
Yes. [145e] Socrates
And does this differ at all from knowledge?Theaetetus
Does what differ?Socrates
Wisdom. Or are not people wise in that of which they have knowledge?Theaetetus
Of course.Socrates
Then knowledge and wisdom are the same thing?Theaetetus
Yes.Socrates
Well, it is just this that I am in doubt about and cannot fully grasp by my own efforts—what knowledge really is.
