and discourse than by any painting or work of art: to the duller sort by

works of art.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Very true; but what is the imperfection which still

remains? I wish that you would tell me.

STRANGER: The higher ideas, my dear friend, can hardly be set forth

except through the medium of examples; every man seems to know all

things in a dreamy sort of way, and then again to wake up and to know

nothing.

YOUNG SOCRATES: What do you mean?

STRANGER: I fear that I have been unfortunate in raising a question

about our experience of knowledge.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Why so?

STRANGER: Why, because my 'example' requires the assistance of another

example.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Proceed; you need not fear that I shall tire.

STRANGER: I will proceed, finding, as I do, such a ready listener in

you: when children are beginning to know their letters--

Statesman