PLATO

Erineum, so I would not be sorry to take a rest. But let us go, and while we are resting, the boy shall read to us.

Θ TER. You speak correctly.

EU. The book is this one, Terpsion; and I wrote the conversation in this way: I did not represent Socrates relating it to me as he related it, but conversing with those with whom he said he conversed. He said he spoke to Theodorus the geometrician and Theaetetus. In order, therefore, C that the explanatory remarks between the speeches might not be troublesome in the writing, such as when Socrates said "and I said" or "and I remarked," or again regarding the respondent that "he agreed" or "he did not agree," for these reasons I wrote it as if he were talking to them directly, removing such phrases.

TER. That is not at all out of place, Eucleides.

EU. But, boy, take the book and read.

D 2. SOC. If I cared more for the people in Cyrene, Theodorus, I would be asking you about things there and about those people, whether any of the young men there are devoting themselves to geometry or any other form of philosophy; but as it is, since I care less for those people than for these here, I am more eager to know which of our own young men are likely to gain a reputation for excellence. These things I investigate myself as much as I can, and I ask the others with whom I see the young men wishing to associate. A great many of them approach you, and rightly so; E for you are worthy, both for other reasons and on account of geometry. If