PLATO

D SOC. And what of those who study astronomy, harmony, and calculation?
THEAET. I am certainly eager to do so.
SOC. And so am I, my boy, both from him and from others whom I think understand something of these matters. Yet, although I get along well enough in these areas, I am troubled by one small matter that I must investigate with you and these others. Tell me: is not learning the process of becoming wiser about that which one learns?
THEAET. How could it be otherwise?
SOC. And the wise, I suppose, are wise by sophia wisdom.
THEAET. Yes.
E SOC. Does this differ at all from episteme knowledge?
THEAET. In what way?
SOC. Sophia Wisdom. Or are people not wise in those things in which they have knowledge?
THEAET. Certainly.
SOC. Then knowledge and wisdom are the same thing?
THEAET. Yes.
SOC. This is the very thing I am puzzled by and cannot sufficiently grasp for myself: what knowledge 146 actually happens to be. Can we say what it is? What do you say? Who among us will speak first? Whoever fails, and whoever fails repeatedly, shall sit down and be a "donkey," as children say when they play ball. Whoever succeeds without failure shall be our king and shall command us to answer whatever questions he pleases. Why are you silent? Surely, Theodorus, I am not being rude, through my love of discussion, in my eagerness to make us converse and become friends and companions to one another?