Theaet. I suppose I must, if you wish it.

  Soc. In the first place, I should like to ask what you learn of
Theodorus: something of geometry, perhaps?

  Theaet. Yes.

  Soc. And astronomy and harmony and calculation?

  Theaet. I do my best.

  Soc. Yes, my boy, and so do I: and my desire is to learn of him,
or of anybody who seems to understand these things. And I get on
pretty well in general; but there is a little difficulty which I
want you and the company to aid me in investigating. Will you answer
me a question: "Is not learning growing wiser about that which you
learn?"

  Theaet. Of course.

  Soc. And by wisdom the wise are wise?

  Theaet. Yes.

  Soc. And is that different in any way from knowledge?

  Theaet. What?

  Soc. Wisdom; are not men wise in that which they know?

  Theaet. Certainly they are.

  Soc. Then wisdom and knowledge are the same?

  Theaet. Yes.

  Soc. Herein lies the difficulty which I can never solve to my
satisfaction-What is knowledge? Can we answer that question? What
say you? which of us will speak first? whoever misses shall sit
down, as at a game of ball, and shall be donkey, as the boys say; he
who lasts out his competitors in the game without missing, shall be
our king, and shall have the right of putting to us any questions
which he pleases. .. Why is there no reply? I hope, Theodorus, that
I am not betrayed into rudeness by my love of conversation? I only
want to make us talk and be friendly and sociable.

  Theod. The reverse of rudeness, Socrates: but I would rather that
you would ask one of the young fellows; for the truth is, that I am
unused to your game of question and answer, and I am too old to learn;
the young will be more suitable, and they will improve more than I