Hermogenes: I agree.
Socrates: But again, that which has to be cut has to be cut with something?
Hermogenes: Yes.
Socrates: And that which has to be woven or pierced has to be woven or pierced with something?
Hermogenes: Certainly.
Socrates: And that which has to be named has to be named with something?
Hermogenes: True.
Socrates: What is that with which we pierce?
Hermogenes: An awl.
Socrates: And with which we weave?
Hermogenes: A shuttle.
Socrates: And with which we name?
Hermogenes: A name.
Socrates: Very good: then a name is an instrument?
Hermogenes: Certainly.
Socrates: Suppose that I ask, “What sort of instrument is a shuttle?” And you answer, “A weaving instrument.”
Hermogenes: Well.
Socrates: And I ask again, “What do we do when we weave?”—The answer is, that we separate or disengage the warp from the woof.
Hermogenes: Very true.
Socrates: And may not a similar description be given of an awl, and of instruments in general?
Hermogenes: To be sure.
Socrates: And now suppose that I ask a similar question about names: will you answer me? Regarding the name as an instrument, what do we do when we name?
Hermogenes: I cannot say.
Socrates: Do we not give information to one another, and distinguish things according to their natures?
Hermogenes: Certainly we do.