-
Articles/Ads
Article THE DEFENCE OF SOCRATES. ← Page 4 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Defence Of Socrates.
welfare of the state at large , making it a rule to consider every thing before self . Since such has been my conduct , what penalty do you think fit to be imposed upon me ? Truly , if you act toivards me according to my deserts , you ought to reward me with some good promotion , suitable to my claims . What then do you consider suitable to a poor man , who is really your benefactorand onlwishes to his life in
hilo-, y pass away p sophic leisure for your instruction and enlightenment ? Athenians , there would be nothing so suitable for me as being made a pensioner of the Prytaneum / - where 1 should prove a much fitter object of its bounty than he who has merel y been victorious at one of the Olympic games , with his horse or his chariot ; for he only makes you appear happy : I make you really so ! Wherefore , if I am to be rewarded according to my meritsI conceive myself entitled to a pension in that institution .
, But , perhaps , whilst I am assuming this right , you may set me down as arrogant as I was when I spoke to you upon the weakness of making foolish lamentations about the nature of the judgment in this matter , and my determination to use no contemptible supplication or womanish entreaties for mercy . But , indeed , Athenians , this is not the case ; I am urged by far other motives ; for I am fully persuaded myself , and such conviction endues me with an elevated tone of thought and feeling ,
that I have injured no man intentionally . It is my misfortune that you are not impressed by the same persuasion , as our present converse cannot last much longer . It occurs to me that you always accustomed yourselves to deliberate one day , if not several , when a capital
punishment was to be inflicted , in order that you might not act rashly . And it is not an easy task for me to wipe out of your minds , in so short a time , the vile calumnies which have taken such hold of them , hoivever convinced I am myself that I have worked mischief to no person . If any one is injured it is myself . Nor can the dread of punishment persuade me to exculpate myself from an offence of which I do not consider myself guilty . Neither shall I say anything unworthy of me in
commutation of your judgment . For it would be very inconsistent of me to prefer the evil to the good—life to death . It is not exactly clear to me which is preferable ; but at all events I shall not allow myself to be deserving of punishment of any description , since my offence was wholly harmless . I am ignorant of the sort of judgment to which Melitus has condemned me , and therefore it would be folly to make a choice , as I might pick out the worst . If I choose imprisonment what
advantage would it be to me to live in slavish subjection to whichever of the municipal departments was in power . If I submit to be fined and imprisoned , I shall place myself in much the same situation ; for I have not wherewith to pay it . Shall I condemn myself to perpetual banishment , and wander an exile from my home and country ? Perhaps you would like this . But great indeed must be my love for life to resign myself to such a melancholy fate . Am I an idiot toothat I should not
, be able to foresee , that if you , my fellow-citizens ,- are so exasperated at the dogmas which are taught in my philosophical conversations , as earnestl y to desire to be rid of the presence of their author , I could not reasonably expect other people to bear with me , or my pursuits ? Far be it from me , Athenians ! nor would it be becoming , that a man at my
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Defence Of Socrates.
welfare of the state at large , making it a rule to consider every thing before self . Since such has been my conduct , what penalty do you think fit to be imposed upon me ? Truly , if you act toivards me according to my deserts , you ought to reward me with some good promotion , suitable to my claims . What then do you consider suitable to a poor man , who is really your benefactorand onlwishes to his life in
hilo-, y pass away p sophic leisure for your instruction and enlightenment ? Athenians , there would be nothing so suitable for me as being made a pensioner of the Prytaneum / - where 1 should prove a much fitter object of its bounty than he who has merel y been victorious at one of the Olympic games , with his horse or his chariot ; for he only makes you appear happy : I make you really so ! Wherefore , if I am to be rewarded according to my meritsI conceive myself entitled to a pension in that institution .
, But , perhaps , whilst I am assuming this right , you may set me down as arrogant as I was when I spoke to you upon the weakness of making foolish lamentations about the nature of the judgment in this matter , and my determination to use no contemptible supplication or womanish entreaties for mercy . But , indeed , Athenians , this is not the case ; I am urged by far other motives ; for I am fully persuaded myself , and such conviction endues me with an elevated tone of thought and feeling ,
that I have injured no man intentionally . It is my misfortune that you are not impressed by the same persuasion , as our present converse cannot last much longer . It occurs to me that you always accustomed yourselves to deliberate one day , if not several , when a capital
punishment was to be inflicted , in order that you might not act rashly . And it is not an easy task for me to wipe out of your minds , in so short a time , the vile calumnies which have taken such hold of them , hoivever convinced I am myself that I have worked mischief to no person . If any one is injured it is myself . Nor can the dread of punishment persuade me to exculpate myself from an offence of which I do not consider myself guilty . Neither shall I say anything unworthy of me in
commutation of your judgment . For it would be very inconsistent of me to prefer the evil to the good—life to death . It is not exactly clear to me which is preferable ; but at all events I shall not allow myself to be deserving of punishment of any description , since my offence was wholly harmless . I am ignorant of the sort of judgment to which Melitus has condemned me , and therefore it would be folly to make a choice , as I might pick out the worst . If I choose imprisonment what
advantage would it be to me to live in slavish subjection to whichever of the municipal departments was in power . If I submit to be fined and imprisoned , I shall place myself in much the same situation ; for I have not wherewith to pay it . Shall I condemn myself to perpetual banishment , and wander an exile from my home and country ? Perhaps you would like this . But great indeed must be my love for life to resign myself to such a melancholy fate . Am I an idiot toothat I should not
, be able to foresee , that if you , my fellow-citizens ,- are so exasperated at the dogmas which are taught in my philosophical conversations , as earnestl y to desire to be rid of the presence of their author , I could not reasonably expect other people to bear with me , or my pursuits ? Far be it from me , Athenians ! nor would it be becoming , that a man at my