Ἑρμότιμος ἢ Περὶ Αἱρέσεων

Lines

1 – 2 2 – 4 4 – 6 6 – 7 7 – 9 9 – 11 11 – 12 13 – 14 15 – 16 16 – 18 18 – 20 20 – 21 21 – 23 24 – 25 25 – 25 26 – 27 27 – 27 28 – 28 29 – 29 30 – 30 31 – 32 33 – 33 34 – 35 35 – 36 36 – 37 37 – 38 39 – 40 40 – 41 41 – 42 43 – 44 45 – 47 47 – 48 48 – 49 49 – 51 51 – 53 53 – 54 55 – 55 56 – 58 58 – 59 59 – 60 60 – 61 61 – 63 63 – 64 64 – 66 66 – 68 68 – 68 69 – 69 70 – 71 71 – 71 72 – 73 74 – 74 75 – 75 76 – 77 77 – 78 79 – 80 81 – 81 82 – 83 84 – 85 86 – 86

İngilizce İngilizce Yunanca Yunanca

35 It seems to me quite possible, Lycinus, by thorough study of the Stoic doctrines alone, to know the truth from them, even if one does not pursue those of the others and make a thorough study of them in detail. Look at it this way: if someone tells you merely that two twos make the number four, will you have to go about questioning all the other mathematicians to see if there may not perhaps be one of them who makes it five or seven? Or would you know at once that this man is speaking the truth?

35 At once, Hermotimus.

35 Why then does it seem to you to be impossible for a man when he meets only Stoics who speak the truth to believe them and have no further need of the others in his knowledge that four could never be five, even if thousands of Platos and Pythagorases say so?

36 That is not to the point at all, Hermotimus. You are comparing what is admitted to what is in dispute, although they differ enormously. Or what would you say? Have you met anyone who says that by putting together two twos he makes the number seven or eleven?

36 Not But anyone would be mad who said the answer was not four.

36 Well then, have you ever met (and by the Graces try to be truthful) any Stoic and Epicurean who did not differ about principles and ends?

36 In no way.