and seem, and not be, or how a man can say a thing which is not true,

has always been and still remains a very perplexing question. Can any

one say or think that falsehood really exists, and avoid being caught in

a contradiction? Indeed, Theaetetus, the task is a difficult one.

THEAETETUS: Why?

STRANGER: He who says that falsehood exists has the audacity to assert

the being of not-being; for this is implied in the possibility of

falsehood. But, my boy, in the days when I was a boy, the great

Parmenides protested against this doctrine, and to the end of his life

he continued to inculcate the same lesson--always repeating both in

verse and out of verse:

'Keep your mind from this way of enquiry, for never will you show that

not-being is.'

Such is his testimony, which is confirmed by the very expression when

sifted a little. Would you object to begin with the consideration of the

words themselves?

THEAETETUS: Never mind about me; I am only desirous that you should

carry on the argument in the best way, and that you should take me with

you.

STRANGER: Very good; and now say, do we venture to utter the forbidden

Sophist