Page:Plato (IA platocollins00colliala).pdf/58

 really not angry at all. I do but contradict him when be seems to me to be in the wrong; and you must not confound abuse and contradiction, O illustrious Dionysodorus; for they are quite different things."

"Contradiction!" said Dionysodorus; "why, there never was such a thing."—J.

And then he proves in his own fashion that falsehood has no existence, and that a man must either say what is true or say nothing at all.

One absurd paradox follows another; and the two brothers venture on the most extravagant assertions. According to them, neither error nor ignorance are possible; and they themselves have known all things from their birth—dancing, carpentering, cobbling—nay, the very number of the stars and sands; till even Socrates loses patience, and Ctesippus cannot disguise his disgust at their effrontery.

Several passages of arms take place, of which the following may serve as an instance:—

"You say," asks Euthydemus of Ctesippus, "that you have a dog?"

"Yes, a villain of a one," said Ctesippus.

"And he has puppies?"

"Yes, and they are very like himself."

"And the dog is the father of them?"

"Yes," he said, "certainly."

"And is he not yours?"

"To be sure he is."

"Then he is a father, and he is yours; ergo, he is your father, and the puppies are your brothers."

"Let me ask you one little question more," said Dionysodorus, quickly interposing, in order that Ctesippus might not get in his word—"you beat this dog?"