[*] 40. In like manner the imperfect may express something which is the result of a previous discussion, with reference to which the past form is used. This is sometimes called the philosophic imperfect. E.g.
- “Ἦν ἡ μουσικὴ ἀντίστροφος τῆς γυμναστικῆς, εἰ μέμνησαι,” “music then (as we proved) corresponds, if you remember, to gymnastics.” PLAT. Rep. 522A.
- “Καὶ δίκαιον δὴ φήσομεν ἄνδρα εἶναι τῷ αὐτῷ τρόπῳ, ᾧπερ καὶ πόλις ἦν δικαία,” “and now we shall say that a man is just in the same way in which also a state was (shown to be) just.” Ib. 441D.
- “Διαφθεροῦμεν ἐκεῖνο, ὃ τῷ μὲν δικαίῳ βέλτιον ἐγίγνετο, τῷ δὲ ἀδίκῳ ἀπώλλυτο,” “we shall destroy that which (as we proved) becomes better by justice and is ruined by injustice.” PLAT. Crit. 47D.
