Euthydemus (301)

Soc.

he said, Here I was desperately perplexed, and felt that I had my deserts for the grunt I had made: however, I replied that they were different from the beautiful itself, though each of them had some beauty present with it. he said, Heavens, do not say that! I cried. Are you at a loss there? I asked: already I was attempting to imitate the cleverness of these men, I was so eager to get it. he said, What is that you say, Dionysodorus? I asked: is not the beautiful beautiful, and the ugly ugly? he replied. Then does it seem so? he said. Then the same also is the same, and the different different? For I presume the different cannot be the same; nay, I thought not even a child would doubt that the different is different. But, Dionysodorus, you have deliberately passed over this one point; though, on the whole, I feel that, like craftsmen finishing off each his special piece of work, you two are carrying out your disputation in excellent style. he asked, I can: a brazier’s. A potter’s. A caterer’s, I said. he said, Yes, to be sure. I did so, I replied, but pray forgive me. he proceeded, Poseidon! I exclaimed, there you give the finishing touch to your wisdom. I wonder if this skill could ever come to me in such manner as to be my very own. he asked, Yes, if only you are agreeable, I replied, without a doubt. he went on, Yes, if I take your meaning aright: for all my hopes arise from you, and end in Euthydemus here.[*]