THE_CRATYLUS_01
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. Socrates:~ Hermogenes, ... there is an ancient saying [384b] that knowledge of high things ~~~~
~~~~ is hard to gain; and surely knowledge of names is no small matter. ~~~
Hermogenes: ... ; but, Socrates, what sort of an imitation is a name?

Socrates: In the first place we shall not, in my opinion, be making names, if we imitate things as we do in music, [423d] although musical imitation also is vocal; and secondly we shall make no names by imitating that which music imitates. What I mean is this: all objects have sound and shape, and many have color, have they not?

Hermogenes: Certainly.

Socrates: Well then, the art of naming is not employed in the imitation of those qualities, and has nothing to do with them. The arts which are concerned with them are music and design,
are they not?

Hermogenes: Yes.

[423e] Socrates: Here is another point. Has not each thing an essential nature, just as it has a color and the other qualities we just mentioned? Indeed, in the first place, have not color and sound and all other things which may properly be said to exist, each and all an essential nature?

Hermogenes: I think so.

Socrates: Well, then, if anyone could imitate this essential nature of each thing by means of letters and syllables, he would show what each thing really is, would he not? [424a]

Hermogenes: Certainly.
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