philebus   

Soc. Ever, as we say, into the hotter and the colder there enters

a more and a less.

Pro. Yes.

Soc. Then, says the argument, there is never any end of them, and

being endless they must also be infinite.

Pro. Yes, Socrates, that is exceedingly true.

Soc. Yes, my dear Protarchus, and your answer reminds me that such

an expression as "exceedingly," which you have just uttered, and

also the term "gently," have the same significance as more or less;

for whenever they occur they do not allow of the existence of

quantity-they are always introducing degrees into actions, instituting

a comparison of a more or a less excessive or a more or a less gentle,

and at each creation of more or less, quantity disappears. For, as I

was just now saying, if quantity and measure did not disappear, but

were allowed to intrude in the sphere of more and less and the other

comparatives, these last would be driven out of their own domain. When

definite quantity is once admitted, there can be no longer a

"hotter" or a "colder" (for these are always progressing, and are

never in one stay); but definite quantity is at rest, and has ceased

to progress. Which proves that comparatives, such as the hotter, and

the colder, are to be ranked in the class of the infinite.

Pro. Your remark certainly, has the look of truth, Socrates; but

these subjects, as you were saying, are difficult to follow at

first. I think however, that if I could hear the argument repeated

by you once or twice, there would be a substantial agreement between

us.

Soc. Yes, and I will try to meet your wish; but, as I would rather

not waste time in the enumeration of endless particulars, let me

know whether I may not assume as a note of the infinite-

Pro. What?

Soc. I want to know whether such things as appear to us to admit

of more or less, or are denoted by the words "exceedingly,"