existed previously--by the creation of God, or shall we agree with

vulgar opinion about them?

THEAETETUS: What is it?

STRANGER: The opinion that nature brings them into being from some

spontaneous and unintelligent cause. Or shall we say that they are

created by a divine reason and a knowledge which comes from God?

THEAETETUS: I dare say that, owing to my youth, I may often waver in my

view, but now when I look at you and see that you incline to refer them

to God, I defer to your authority.

STRANGER: Nobly said, Theaetetus, and if I thought that you were one of

those who would hereafter change your mind, I would have gently argued

with you, and forced you to assent; but as I perceive that you will come

of yourself and without any argument of mine, to that belief which, as

you say, attracts you, I will not forestall the work of time. Let me

suppose, then, that things which are said to be made by nature are the

work of divine art, and that things which are made by man out of

these are works of human art. And so there are two kinds of making and

production, the one human and the other divine.

THEAETETUS: True.

STRANGER: Then, now, subdivide each of the two sections which we have

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Sophist