If the one were greater or less than the others, or the others greater
or less than the one, they would not be greater or less than each other
in virtue of their being the one and the others; but, if in addition to
their being what they are they had equality, they would be equal to one
another, or if the one had smallness and the others greatness, or the
one had greatness and the others smallness--whichever kind had greatness
would be greater, and whichever had smallness would be smaller?
Certainly.
Then there are two such ideas as greatness and smallness; for if they
were not they could not be opposed to each other and be present in that
which is.
How could they?
If, then, smallness is present in the one it will be present either in
the whole or in a part of the whole?
Certainly.
Suppose the first; it will be either co-equal and co-extensive with the
whole one, or will contain the one?
Clearly.
If it be co-extensive with the one it will be co-equal with the one, or
if containing the one it will be greater than the one?
Of course.
But can smallness be equal to anything or greater than anything, and
have the functions of greatness and equality and not its own functions?
Impossible.
Then smallness cannot be in the whole of one, but, if at all, in a part
only?
Yes.
And surely not in all of a part, for then the difficulty of the whole
will recur; it will be equal to or greater than any part in which it is.
Certainly.
Then smallness will not be in anything, whether in a whole or in a part;
nor will there be anything small but actual smallness.
True.
Neither will greatness be in the one, for if greatness be in anything
there will be something greater other and besides greatness itself,
namely, that in which greatness is; and this too when the small itself
is not there, which the one, if it is great, must exceed; this, however,
is impossible, seeing that smallness is wholly absent.
True.
But absolute greatness is only greater than absolute smallness, and
smallness is only smaller than absolute greatness.
Very true.
Then other things not greater or less than the one, if they have neither
greatness nor smallness; nor have greatness or smallness any power of
exceeding or being exceeded in relation to the one, but only in relation
to one another; nor will the one be greater or less than them or others,
if it has neither greatness nor smallness.
Clearly not.
Then if the one is neither greater nor less than the others, it cannot
either exceed or be exceeded by them?
Certainly not.
And that which neither exceeds nor is exceeded, must be on an equality;
and being on an equality, must be equal.
Of course.
And this will be true also of the relation of the one to itself; having
neither greatness nor smallness in itself, it will neither exceed nor be
exceeded by itself, but will be on an equality with and equal to itself.
Certainly.
Then the one will be equal both to itself and the others?
Clearly so.