THEAETETUS: Undoubtedly.

STRANGER: And do they not profess to make men able to dispute about law

and about politics in general?

THEAETETUS: Why, no one would have anything to say to them, if they did

not make these professions.

STRANGER: In all and every art, what the craftsman ought to say in

answer to any question is written down in a popular form, and he who

likes may learn.

THEAETETUS: I suppose that you are referring to the precepts of

Protagoras about wrestling and the other arts?

STRANGER: Yes, my friend, and about a good many other things. In a word,

is not the art of disputation a power of disputing about all things?

THEAETETUS: Certainly; there does not seem to be much which is left out.

STRANGER: But oh! my dear youth, do you suppose this possible? for

perhaps your young eyes may see things which to our duller sight do not

appear.

THEAETETUS: To what are you alluding? I do not think that I understand

your present question.

Sophist