STRANGER: The task of separating this class from others is not an easy

one; for there is plausibility in saying that anything in the world

is the instrument of doing something. But there is another class of

possessions in a city, of which I have a word to say.

YOUNG SOCRATES: What class do you mean?

STRANGER: A class which may be described as not having this power; that

is to say, not like an instrument, framed for production, but designed

for the preservation of that which is produced.

YOUNG SOCRATES: To what do you refer?

STRANGER: To the class of vessels, as they are comprehensively termed,

which are constructed for the preservation of things moist and dry, of

things prepared in the fire or out of the fire; this is a very large

class, and has, if I am not mistaken, literally nothing to do with the

royal art of which we are in search.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Certainly not.

STRANGER: There is also a third class of possessions to be noted,

different from these and very extensive, moving or resting on land or

water, honourable and also dishonourable. The whole of this class has

one name, because it is intended to be sat upon, being always a seat for

Statesman