The Meno by Plato. - HTML preview

48

Meno

BOY: Yes; I think so.

BOY: That is evident.

SOCRATES: Very good; I like to hear you say what SOCRATES: And how much are three times three you think. And now tell me, is not this a line of feet?

two feet and that of four?

BOY: Nine.

BOY: Yes.

SOCRATES: And how much is the double of four?

SOCRATES: Then the line which forms the side BOY: Eight.

of eight feet ought to be more than this line of SOCRATES: Then the figure of eight is not made two feet, and less than the other of four feet?

out of a line of three?

BOY: It ought.

BOY: No.

SOCRATES: Try and see if you can tell me how SOCRATES: But from what line?—tell me exactly; much it will be.

and if you would rather not reckon, try and show BOY: Three feet.

me the line.

SOCRATES: Then if we add a half to this line of BOY: Indeed, Socrates, I do not know.

two, that will be the line of three. Here are two SOCRATES: Do you see, Meno, what advances he and there is one; and on the other side, here are has made in his power of recollection? He did two also and there is one: and that makes the not know at first, and he does not know now, what figure of which you speak?

is the side of a figure of eight feet: but then he BOY: Yes.

thought that he knew, and answered confidently SOCRATES: But if there are three feet this way as if he knew, and had no difficulty; now he has a and three feet that way, the whole space will be difficulty, and neither knows nor fancies that he three times three feet?

knows.