Mohl, 'Rapport Annuel Fait à la Société Asïatique,' 1863, pp. 103-105; collected edition, 'Vingt-sept ans d'histoire des Études Orientales,' vol. ii. pp. 496, 498-9. When the purpose simply is to imprint affirmations on the memory, and to associate them with strong emotions of reverential belief--mnemonic verses and aphorisms are suitable enough; Empedokles employed verse, Herakleitus and the Pythagoreans expressed themselves in aphorisms--brief, half-intelligible, impressive symbols. But if philosophy is ever to be brought out of such twilight into the condition of "reasoned truth," this cannot be done without submitting all the affirmations to cross-examining opponents--to the scrutiny of a negative Dialectic. It is the theory and application of this Dialectic which we are about to follow in Sokrates and Plato. CHAPTER III.* [Footnote *: As stated in the prefatory note to this edition, the present and the following chapter have been, for convenience, transferred from the place given to them by the author, to their present position.] OTHER COMPANIONS OF SOKRATES. Having dwelt at some length on the life and compositions of Plato, I now proceed to place in comparison with him some other members of the Sokratic philosophical family: less eminent, indeed, than the illustrious author of the Republic, yet still men of marked character, ability, and influence.[1] Respecting one of the brethren, Xenophon, who stands next to Plato in celebrity, I shall say a few words separately in my next and concluding chapter. [Footnote 1: Dionysius of Halikarnassus contrasts Plato with [Greek: to\ Sôkra/tous didaskalei=on pa=n] (De Adm. Vi Dic. Demosthen. p. 956.) Compare also Epistol. ad Cn. Pomp. p. 762, where he contrasts the style and phraseology of Plato with that of the [Greek: Sôkratikoi\ dia/logoi] generally.] [Side-note: Influence exercised by Sokrates over his companions.]