seeking to trip up his opponent; and this is a mode of argument which
disgusts men with philosophy as they grow older. But the reasoner is
trying to understand him and to point out his errors to him, whether
arising from his own or from his companion's fault; he does not argue from
the customary use of names, which the vulgar pervert in all manner of ways.
If you are gentle to an adversary he will follow and love you; and if
defeated he will lay the blame on himself, and seek to escape from his own
prejudices into philosophy. I would recommend you, Socrates, to adopt this
humaner method, and to avoid captious and verbal criticisms.'

Such, Theodorus, is the very slight help which I am able to afford to your
friend; had he been alive, he would have helped himself in far better
style.

'You have made a most valorous defence.'

Yes; but did you observe that Protagoras bade me be serious, and complained
of our getting up a laugh against him with the aid of a boy? He meant to
intimate that you must take the place of Theaetetus, who may be wiser than
many bearded men, but not wiser than you, Theodorus.

'The rule of the Spartan Palaestra is, Strip or depart; but you are like
the giant Antaeus, and will not let me depart unless I try a fall with
you.'

Yes, that is the nature of my complaint. And many a Hercules, many a
Theseus mighty in deeds and words has broken my head; but I am always at
this rough game. Please, then, to favour me.

'On the condition of not exceeding a single fall, I consent.'