It is quite dear that they never learned anything from me the many fine discoveries to which they cling are of their own making. Some of them appear dull enough at first, but afterwards, as our acquaintance ripens, if the god is gracious to them, they all make astonishing progress and this in the opinion of others as well as in their own. And therefore I am not myself at all wise, nor have I anything to show which is the invention or birth of my own soul, but those who converse with me profit. And like the mid-wives, I am barren, and the reproach which is often made against me, that I ask questions of others and have not the wit to answer them myself, is very just-the reason is, that the god compels-me to be a midwife, but does not allow me to bring forth. Well, my art of midwifery is in most respects like theirs but differs, in that I attend men and not women and look after their souls when they are in labour, and not after their bodies: and the triumph of my art is in thoroughly examining whether the thought which the mind of the young man brings forth is a false idol or a noble and true birth. Such are the mid-wives, whose task is a very important one but not so important as mine for women do not bring into the world at one time real children, and at another time counterfeits which are with difficulty distinguished from them if they did, then the, discernment of the true and false birth would be the crowning achievement of the art of midwifery-you would think so? Certainly not but mid-wives are respectable women who have a character to lose, and they avoid this department of their profession, because they are afraid of being called procuresses, which is a name given to those who join together man and woman in an unlawful and unscientific way and yet the true midwife is also the true and only matchmaker. And do you suppose that with women the case is otherwise? And if you reflect, you will see that the same art which cultivates and gathers in the fruits of the earth, will be most likely to know in what soils the several plants or seeds should be deposited. Then let me tell you that this is their greatest pride, more than cutting the umbilical cord.
Did you ever remark that they are also most cunning matchmakers, and have a thorough knowledge of what unions are likely to produce a brave brood? And by the use of potions and incantations they are able to arouse the pangs and to soothe them at will they can make those bear who have a difficulty in bearing, and if they think fit they can smother the embryo in the womb. And I dare say too, or rather I am absolutely certain, that the mid-wives know better than others who is pregnant and who is not? The reason of this is said to be that Artemis-the goddess of childbirth-is not a mother, and she honours those who are like herself but she could not allow the barren to be mid-wives, because human nature cannot know the mystery of an art without experience and therefore she assigned this office to those who are too old to bear. Bear in mind the whole business of the mid-wives, and then you will see my meaning better:-No woman, as you are probably aware, who is still able to conceive and bear, attends other women, but only those who are past bearing. Let me tell you that I do though, my friend: but you must not reveal the secret, as the world in general have not found me out and therefore they only say of me, that I am the strangest of mortals and drive men to their wits' end. And have you never heard, simpleton, that I am the son of a midwife, brave and burly, whose name was Phaenarete? I do not know, Socrates I only say what I feel. These are the pangs of labour, my dear Theaetetus you have something within you which you are bringing to the birth. I can assure you, Socrates, that I have tried very often, when the report of questions asked by you was brought to me but I can neither persuade myself that I have a satisfactory answer to give, nor hear of any one who answers as you would have him and I cannot shake off a feeling of anxiety. Come, you made a good beginning just now let your own answer about roots be your model, and as you comprehended them all in one class, try and bring the many sorts of knowledge under one definition. I am eager enough, Socrates, if that would bring to light the truth.
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