Meno: Indeed, Socrates, I protest that I had no such intention. I only asked the question from habit; but if you can prove to me that what you say is true, I wish that you would.
Socrates: It will be no easy matter, but I will try to please you to the utmost of my power. Suppose that you call one of your numerous attendants, that I may demonstrate on him.
Meno: Certainly. Come hither, boy.
Socrates: He is Greek, and speaks Greek, does he not?
Meno: Yes, indeed; he was born in the house.
Socrates: Attend now to the questions which I ask him, and observe whether he learns of me or only remembers.
Meno: I will.
Socrates: Tell me, boy, do you know that a figure like this is a square?
Boy: I do.
Socrates: And you know that a square figure has these four lines equal?
Boy: Certainly.
Socrates: And these lines which I have drawn through the middle of the square are also equal?
Boy: Yes.
Socrates: A square may be of any size?
Boy: Certainly.
Socrates: And if one side of the figure be of two feet, and the other side be of two feet, how much will the whole be? Let me explain: if in one direction the space was of two feet, and in the other direction of one foot, the whole would be of two feet taken once?
Boy: Yes.
Socrates: But since this side is also of two feet, there are twice two feet?
Boy: There are.
Socrates: Then the square is of twice two feet?
Boy: Yes.
Socrates: And how many are twice two feet? count and tell me.
Boy: Four, Socrates.
Socrates: And might there not be another square twice as large as this, and having like this the lines equal?
Boy: Yes.