Stratagem 7
Original German
Wenn die Disputation etwas streng und formell geführt wird und man sich recht deutlich verständigen will; so verfährt der welcher die Behauptung aufgestellt hat und sie beweisen soll gegen seinen Gegner fragend um aus seinen eignen Zugeständnissen die Wahrheit der Behauptung zu schließen. Diese erotematische Methode war besonders bei den Alten im Gebrauch (heißt auch Sokratische): auf dieselbe bezieht sich der gegenwärtige Kunstgriff und einige späte[r] folgende. (Sämmtlich frei bearbeitet nach des Aristoteles Liber de elenchis sophisticis c. 15.) [1]
Viel auf ein Mal und weitläuftig fragen, um das was man eigentlich zugestanden haben will zu verbergen. — Dagegen seine Argumentation aus dem zugestandenen schnell vortragen: denn die langsam von Verständniß sind, können nicht genau folgen und übersehn die etwanigen Fehler oder Lücken in der Beweisführung.
1 [Dazu die Notiz:] Adversaria p 269 [in unsr. Ausg. Bd. VII u. VIII].
Musean translation
Machine-assisted, directly from Deussen’s German edition (1923).
When disputation is conducted somewhat strictly and formally, and one wishes to reach a perfectly clear understanding, the person who has advanced the assertion and must prove it proceeds against his opponent by questioning, so as to infer its truth from the opponent's own concessions. This interrogative method was especially customary among the ancients; it is also called Socratic. The present stratagem and several that follow refer to it. (All freely adapted from Aristotle's Liber de elenchis sophisticis c. 15.)1
Ask many questions at once and at length, to conceal what you actually want conceded. Present the argument from the concessions quickly: slow-witted people cannot follow it exactly and overlook possible errors or gaps in the proof.
1 [Accompanying note:] Adversaria p 269 [in our edition, volumes VII and VIII].
Plain English translation
Machine-assisted, independently translated directly from Deussen’s German edition (1923).
When a debate is fairly strict and formal, and we want a clear understanding, the person who has made a claim and must prove it asks the opponent questions. The aim is to establish the claim's truth from the opponent's own admissions. The ancients often used this questioning method, also called the Socratic method. This trick and some later ones concern it. (All freely adapted from Aristotle's Liber de elenchis sophisticis c. 15.)1
Ask many questions at once and in detail to hide what you really want accepted. Then present your argument from the accepted points quickly. People who understand slowly cannot follow it precisely. They miss any mistakes or gaps in the proof.
1 [Added note:] Adversaria p 269 [in our edition, volumes VII and VIII].
About this section
Stratagem 7 is part of The Art of Being Right by Arthur Schopenhauer. This page sets the German original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is section 12 of 43 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
Open the work page for the full contents, every edition, and the download links, or go back to Explore to browse other complete works in the European tradition. The reader keeps your place when you are signed in and lets you compare the original with each translation, one edition at a time.