not-being is involved. For he is compelled to contradict himself as soon

as he makes the attempt.

THEAETETUS: What do you mean? Speak more clearly.

STRANGER: Do not expect clearness from me. For I, who maintain that

not-being has no part either in the one or many, just now spoke and

am still speaking of not-being as one; for I say 'not-being.' Do you

understand?

THEAETETUS: Yes.

STRANGER: And a little while ago I said that not-being is unutterable,

unspeakable, indescribable: do you follow?

THEAETETUS: I do after a fashion.

STRANGER: When I introduced the word 'is,' did I not contradict what I

said before?

THEAETETUS: Clearly.

STRANGER: And in using the singular verb, did I not speak of not-being

as one?

THEAETETUS: Yes.

Sophist