If we were to examine what everyman has in mind each time he hears or repeats the word "being," we would gather most varied and most curious information. would have to face up to a strange confusion, and probably to recognize that the notorious chaos of the state of the world today expresses itself even in such inconspicuous fields as the range of meanings this word seems to have. In fact, that chaos may even have its roots here. But a still greater puzzle is that nonetheless understand each other. All things are reduced to a common denominator, which then nominates for us what is so commonly understood by a "being." We are always able to point out directly, by all kinds of simple indications, what the word "being" means. We point to the mountains, the sea, the forest, the horse, the ship, the sky, God, the contest, the people's assembly. And those indications are correct.
But then, is anyone to understand what is the use of a Greek saying that says: "Useful is the letting-lie-before-us ..." of what lies before us. Λέγειν, the letting-lie-before-us, becomes just as superfluous as the νοεῖν which follows. For mortal perceive automatically and constantly what lies before them. As they move on the land they observe the mountains, and as they sail, the sea. They
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