of power to affect another, or to be affected by another, if only for a

single moment, however trifling the cause and however slight the effect,

has real existence; and I hold that the definition of being is simply

power.

THEAETETUS: They accept your suggestion, having nothing better of their

own to offer.

STRANGER: Very good; perhaps we, as well as they, may one day change our

minds; but, for the present, this may be regarded as the understanding

which is established with them.

THEAETETUS: Agreed.

STRANGER: Let us now go to the friends of ideas; of their opinions, too,

you shall be the interpreter.

THEAETETUS: I will.

STRANGER: To them we say--You would distinguish essence from generation?

THEAETETUS: 'Yes,' they reply.

STRANGER: And you would allow that we participate in generation with the

body, and through perception, but we participate with the soul through

thought in true essence; and essence you would affirm to be always the

Sophist