Hermotimus It seems to me, Lycinus, you do not understand what I mean.

Lycinus Very well, put it plainer, if it is something different from that.

Hermotimus You will see in a minute. Let us suppose two people have gone into the temple of Asclepius or Dionysus, and subsequently one of the sacred cups is missing. Both of them will have to be searched, to see which has it about him.

Lycinus Clearly.

Hermotimus Of course one of them has it.

Lycinus Necessarily, if it is missing.

Hermotimus Then, if you find it on the first, you will not strip the other; it is clear he has not got it..

Lycinus Quite.

Hermotimus And if we fail to find it on the first, the other certainly has it; it is unnecessary to search him that way either.

Lycinus Yes, he has it.

Hermotimus So with us; if we find the cup in the possession of the Stoics, we shall not care to go on and search the others; we have what we were looking for; why trouble further?