philebus   

Soc. Sound is one in music as well as in grammar?

Pro. Certainly.

Soc. And there is a higher note and a lower note, and a note of

equal pitch:-may we affirm so much?

Pro. Yes.

Soc. But you would not be a real musician if this was all that you

knew; though if you did not know this you would know almost nothing of

music.

Pro. Nothing.

Soc. But when you have learned what sounds are high and what low,

and the number and nature of the intervals and their limits or

proportions, and the systems compounded out of them, which our fathers

discovered, and have handed down to us who are their descendants under

the name of harmonies; and the affections corresponding to them in the

movements of the human body, which when measured by numbers ought,

as they say, to be called rhythms and measures; and they tell us

that the same principle should be applied to every one and many;-when,

I say, you have learned all this, then, my dear friend, you are

perfect; and you may be said to understand any other subject, when you

have a similar grasp of it. But the, infinity of kinds and the

infinity of individuals which there is in each of them, when not

classified, creates in every one of us a state of infinite

ignorance; and he who never looks for number in anything, will not

himself be looked for in the number of famous men.

Pro. I think that what Socrates is now saying is excellent,

Philebus.

Phi. I think so too, but how do his words bear upon us and upon

the argument?

Soc. Philebus is right in asking that question of us, Protarchus.

Pro. Indeed he is, and you must answer him.

Soc. I will; but you must let me make one little remark first

about these matters; I was saying, that he who begins with any