philebus   

"gently," "extremely," and the like, may not be referred to the

class of the infinite, which is their unity, for, as was asserted in

the previous argument, all things that were divided and dispersed

should be brought together, and have the mark or seal of some one

nature, if possible, set upon them-do you remember?

Pro. Yes.

Soc. And all things which do not admit of more or less, but admit

their opposites, that is to say, first of all, equality, and the

equal, or again, the double, or any other ratio of number and

measure-all these may, I think, be rightly reckoned by us in the class

of the limited or finite; what do you say?

Pro. Excellent, Socrates.

Soc. And now what nature shall we ascribe to the third or compound

kind?

Pro. You, I think, will have to tell me that.

Soc. Rather God will tell you, if there be any God who will listen

to my prayers.

Pro. Offer up a prayer, then, and think.

Soc. I am thinking, Protarchus, and I believe that some God has

befriended us.

Pro. What do you mean, and what proof have you to offer of what

you are saying?

Soc. I will tell you, and do you listen to my words.

Pro. Proceed.

Soc. Were we not speaking just now of hotter and colder?

Pro. True.

Soc. Add to them drier, wetter, more, less, swifter, slower,

greater, smaller, and all that in the preceding argument we placed

under the unity of more and less.

Pro. In the class of the infinite, you mean?

Soc. Yes; and now mingle this with the other.

Pro. What is the other.