14. R. It is ridiculous if you are ashamed, as if it were not for this very reason that we have chosen this mode of discourse: which, since we are talking with ourselves alone, I wish to be called and inscribed Soliloquies; a new name, it is true, and perhaps a grating one, but not ill suited for setting forth the fact. For since Truth can not be better sought than by asking and answering, and scarcely any one can be found who does not take shame to be worsted in debate, and so it almost always happens that when a matter is well brought into shape for discussion, it is exploded by some unreasonable clamor and petulance, and angry feeling, commonly dissembled, indeed, but sometimes plainly expressed; it has been, as I think, most advantageous, and most answerable to peace, that the resolution was made by thee to seek truth in the way of question by me and answer by thee: wherefore there is no reason why you should fear, if at any point you have unadvisedly tied yourself up, to return and undo the knots; for otherwise there is no escape from hence.

14. R. Ridiculum est si te pudet, quasi non ob idipsum elegerimus hujusmodi sermocinationes: quae quoniam cum solis nobis loquimur, Soliloquia vocari et inscribi volo; novo quidem et fortasse duro nomine, sed ad rem demonstrandam satis idoneo. Cum enim neque melius quaeri veritas possit, quam interrogando et respondendo, et vix quisquam inveniatur quem non pudeat convinci disputantem, eoque pene semper eveniat ut rem bene inductam ad discutiendum inconditus pervicaciae clamor explodat, etiam cum laceratione animorum, plerumque dissimulata, interdum et aperta; pacatissime, ut opinor, et commodissime placuit, a meipso interrogatum mihique respondentem, Deo adjuvante, verum quaerere: quare nihil est quod vereare, sicubi te temere illigasti, redire atque resolvere; aliter hinc enim evadi non potest.