STRANGER: I scarcely think that he can look anywhere; for that which is

not in motion must be at rest, and again, that which is not at rest must

be in motion; but being is placed outside of both these classes. Is this

possible?

THEAETETUS: Utterly impossible.

STRANGER: Here, then, is another thing which we ought to bear in mind.

THEAETETUS: What?

STRANGER: When we were asked to what we were to assign the appellation

of not-being, we were in the greatest difficulty:--do you remember?

THEAETETUS: To be sure.

STRANGER: And are we not now in as great a difficulty about being?

THEAETETUS: I should say, Stranger, that we are in one which is, if

possible, even greater.

STRANGER: Then let us acknowledge the difficulty; and as being and

not-being are involved in the same perplexity, there is hope that when

the one appears more or less distinctly, the other will equally appear;

and if we are able to see neither, there may still be a chance of

steering our way in between them, without any great discredit.

Sophist