Things outside the doors. An image of the threshold: things (πράγματα) stand "outside the doors" (ἔξω θυρῶν), by themselves (ἐφ’ ἑαυτῶν), "knowing nothing of themselves and pronouncing nothing" (μήτε εἰδότα… μήτε ἀποφαινόμενα). They are mute: they ascribe to themselves neither "good" nor "evil." The threshold is the line of the DOGMAup-to-us and not-up-to-us: outside, bare existence; within, the faculty that appraises.

What pronounces? The answer comes as a question: "what, then, pronounces about them? — TERMτὸ ἡγεμονικόν." Every evaluative judgement (καλόν/αἰσχρόν, good/evil) is born not in the thing but in the DOGMAruling part. Hence the practical upshot, shared with 9.13 (trouble is "within, in the judgements") and 5.19 (things do not touch the soul): if the appraisal is mine, then to "wipe it out" is in my power (8.47). The governing discipline is assent.