)
In all these, then, the measure and starting-point is something
one and indivisible, since even in lines we treat as indivisible the
line a foot long. For everywhere we seek as the measure something
one and indivisible; and this is that which is simple either in
quality or in quantity. Now where it is thought impossible to take
away or to add, there the measure is exact (hence that of number is
most exact; for we posit the unit as indivisible in every respect);
but in all other cases we imitate this sort of measure. For in the
case of a furlong or a talent or of anything comparatively large any
addition or subtraction might more easily escape our notice than in
the case of something smaller; so that the first thing from which,
as far as our perception goes, nothing can be subtracted, all men make
the measure, whether of liquids or of solids, whether of weight or
of size; and they think they know the quantity when they know it by
means of this measure. And indeed they know movement too by the simple
movement and the quickest; for this occupies least time. And so in
astronomy a 'one' of this sort is the starting-point and measure
(for they assume the movement of the heavens to be uniform and the
quickest, and judge the others by reference to it), and in music the
quarter-tone (because it is the least interval), and in speech the
letter. And all these are ones in this sense--not that 'one' is
something predicable in the same sense of all of these, but in the
sense we have mentioned.
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