Beyond the written page
SocratesBut another person understands that every written account, whatever its subject, must contain much play, that no speech in verse or prose is worth being written with complete seriousness, any more than the recitations of rhapsodes are: they aim to persuade, permit no questioning and teach nothing. But in truth the best of written words are reminders to those who already know. Words spoken for teaching and learning and truly written in a soul about justice, beauty and goodness are, to him, the only ones that are clear, complete and worthy of serious care. He will call such words his legitimate children: first the speech dwelling in his own soul, if he finds it there, then its offspring and brothers that grow worthily in the souls of others. The rest he will leave aside. Such a man, Phaedrus, is very likely what you and I would pray to become.
PhaedrusThat is precisely what I want and pray for.