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never depart from their original form； they can never change or be moved。
CRATYLUS： Certainly they cannot。
SOCRATES： Nor yet can they be known by any one； for at the moment that the
observer approaches； then they become other and of another nature； so that
you cannot get any further in knowing their nature or state； for you cannot
know that which has no state。
CRATYLUS： True。
SOCRATES： Nor can we reasonably say； Cratylus； that there is knowledge at
all； if everything is in a state of transition and there is nothing
abiding； for knowledge too cannot continue to be knowledge unless
continuing always to abide and exist。 But if the very nature of knowledge
changes； at the time when the change occurs there will be no knowledge； and
if the transition is always going on； there will always be no knowledge；
and； according to this view； there will be no one to know and nothing to be
known： but if that which knows and that which is known exists ever； and
the beautiful and the good and every other thing also exist； then I do not
think that they can resemble a process or flux； as we were just now
supposing。 Whether there is this eternal nature in things； or whether the
truth is what Heracleitus and his followers and many others say； is a
question hard to determine； and no man of sense will like to put himself or
the education of his mind in the power of names： neither will he so far
trust names or the givers of names as to be confident in any knowledge
which condemns himself and other existences to an unhealthy state of
unreality； he will not believe that all things leak like a pot； or imagine
that the world is a man who has a running at the nose。 This may be true；
Cratylus； but is also very likely to be untrue； and therefore I would not
have you be too easily persuaded of it。 Reflect well and like a man； and
do not easily accept such a doctrine； for you are young and of an age to
learn。 And when you have found the truth； come and tell me。
CRATYLUS： I will do as you say； though I can assure you； Socrates； that I
have been considering the matter already； and the result of a great deal of
trouble and consideration is that I incline to Heracleitus。
SOCRATES： Then； another day； my friend； when you come back； you shall give
me a lesson； but at present； go into the country； as you are intending； and
Hermogenes shall set you on your way。
CRATYLUS： Very good； Socrates； I hope； however； that you will continue to
think about these things yourself。
End