SOCRATES: What do you say of him, Meno? Were MENO: Yes.
not all these answers given out of his own head?
SOCRATES: And this spontaneous recovery of MENO: Yes, they were all his own.
knowledge in him is recollection?
SOCRATES: And yet, as we were just now say-MENO: True.
ing, he did not know?
SOCRATES: And this knowledge which he now MENO: True.
has must he not either have acquired or always SOCRATES: But still he had in him those notions possessed?
of his—had he not?
MENO: Yes.
MENO: Yes.
SOCRATES: But if he always possessed this knowl-SOCRATES: Then he who does not know may still edge he would always have known; or if he has have true notions of that which he does not know?
acquired the knowledge he could not have ac-MENO: He has.
quired it in this life, unless he has been taught SOCRATES: And at present these notions have geometry; for he may be made to do the same just been stirred up in him, as in a dream; but if with all geometry and every other branch of he were frequently asked the same questions, in knowledge. Now, has any one ever taught him all different forms, he would know as well as any this? You must know about him, if, as you say, he one at last?
was born and bred in your house.
MENO: I dare say.
MENO: And I am certain that no one ever did SOCRATES: Without any one teaching him he will teach him.
recover his knowledge for himself, if he is only SOCRATES: And yet he has the knowledge?
asked questions?
MENO: The fact, Socrates, is undeniable.