The imperfection, or rather the higher and more elastic nature of language, does not allow words to have the precision of numbers or of symbols.

And this quality in language impairs the force of an argument which has many steps.
The objection, though fairly met by Socrates in this particular instance, may be regarded as implying a reflection upon the Socratic mode of reasoning.

And here, as elsewhere, Plato seems to intimate that the time had come when the negative and interrogative method of Socrates must be superseded by a positive and constructive one, of which examples are given in some of the later dialogues.

Adeimantus further argues that the ideal is wholly at variance with facts; for experience proves philosophers to be either useless or rogues.

Contrary to all expectation Socrates has no hesitation in admitting the truth of this, and explains the anomaly in an allegory, first characteristically depreciating his own inventive powers.