To construct a triangle from three straight-lines which are equal to three given [straight-lines]. It is necessary for (the sum of) two (of the straight-lines) taken together in any (possible way) to be greater than the remaining (one), [on account of the (fact that) in any triangle (the
sum of) two sides taken together in any (possible way) is
greater than the remaining (one) [Prop. 1.20] ].