The Scythian or Consul (47)

Then what shall we do, Hermotimus? I do not think that we ought to give up because we have no such guide at the moment. Is it not the best and safest plan for everyone at the beginning to make his own way through every system and examine carefully the doctrines of each?

That seems to follow. But we must watch lest we meet this stumbling-block in what you said a little before. When we have once committed ourselves and spread the sail, it is not easy to return. How can we travel all the paths, if we are to be held fast in the first, as you say?

I will tell you. We will copy that stratagem of Theseus and take a thread from Ariadne in the play, and then enter every labyrinth. So, by winding it up we shall have no difficulty in getting out.

Then who will be our Ariadne? And where shall we get our thread?

Never fear, my friend. I think I have discovered what to hold on to, if we are to get out.

Well, what?

I will tell you—it is not mine, it comes from one of the sages: “Keep sober, and remember to disbelieve.” [*] For, if we are not prepared to believe everything we hear, but rather to act like judges and let the next man have his say, perhaps we may escape the labyrinths with ease.

Good, let us do this.