,apology  by ,plato  ,translat$ by      
,b5jam9 ,j[ett   ,cont5ts               
,,introduction  ,,apology               
,,introduction4   ,9 :at relation !     
8,apology0 ( ,plato /&s to ! real def5ce
 ( ,socrates1 !re are no means (        
det]m9+4 ,x c]ta9ly agrees 9 tone & "* )
 ! description ( ,x5ophon1 :o says 9 !  
8,memorabilia0 t ,socrates might h be5  
acquitt$ 8if 9 any mod]ate degree he    
w\ld h conciliat$ ! fav\r ( ! dica/s20 &
 :o in=ms u 9 ano!r passage1 on !       
te/imony ( ,h]mog5es1 ! fri5d (         
,socrates1 t he _h no wi% to live2 & t !
 div9e sign refus$ to all[ him to prep>e
 a def5ce1 & also t ,socrates himself   
decl>$ ?is to be unnecess>y1 on ! gr\nd 
t all 8 life long he _h be5 prep>+ aga9/
 t h\r4 ,= ! spee* brea!s ?r\gh\t a _s (
 defiance1 8ut non supplex aut reus s$  
magi/] aut dom9us vid]etur esse judicum0
 7,cic4 8de ,orat40 i4 #ed72 & ! loose &
 desultory /yle is an imitation ( !     
8accu/om$ mann]0 9 :i* ,socrates spoke 9
 8! agora & among ! tables ( !          

money-*ang]s40 ,! allusion 9 ! 8,crito0 
7#de ,b7 may1 p]haps1 be adduc$ z a     
fur!r evid5ce ( ! lit]al accuracy ( "s  
p>ts 7#cg ,c1 ,d74 ,b 9 ! ma9 x mu/ be  
reg>d$ z ! ideal ( ,socrates1 accord+ to
 ,plato's conception ( him1 appe>+ 9 !  
greate/ & mo/ public sc5e ( 8 life1 & 9 
! height ( 8 triumph1 :5 he is weake/1 &
 yet 8 ma/]y ov] mank9d is greate/1 & 8 
habitual irony acquires a new mean+ & a 
sort ( tragic pa?os 9 ! face ( dea?4 ,! 
facts ( 8 life are summ$ up1 & !        
features ( 8 "* are br\ght out z if by  
accid5t 9 ! c\rse ( ! def5ce4 ,!        
conv]sational mann]1 ! seem+ want (     
arrangem5t1 ! ironical simplicity1 are  
f\nd to result 9 a p]fect "w ( art1 :i* 
is ! portrait ( ,socrates4  ,yet "s ( ! 
topics may h be5 actually us$ by        
,socrates2 & ! recollection ( 8 v words 
may h rung 9 ! e>s ( 8 disciple4 ,!     
8,apology0 ( ,plato may be comp>$       
g5]ally ) ^? spee*es ( ,?ucydides 9 :i* 
he has embodi$ 8 conception ( ! l(ty "* 
& policy ( ! great ,p]icles1 & :i* at ! 

same "t furni% a comm5t>y on ! situation
 ( affairs f ! po9t ( view ( ! hi/orian4
 ,s 9 ! 8,apology0 !re is an ideal r ?an
 a lit]al tru?2 mu* is said :i* 0 n     
said1 & is only ,plato's view ( !       
situation4 ,plato 0 n1 l ,x5ophon1 a    
*ronicl] ( facts2 he does n appe> 9 any 
( 8 writ+s to h aim$ at lit]al accuracy4
 ,he is n !re=e to be supplem5t$ f !    
,memorabilia & ,symposium ( ,x5ophon1 :o
 belongs to an entirely diff]5t class ( 
writ]s4 ,! ,apology ( ,plato is n !     
report ( :at ,socrates said1 b an       
elaborate composition1 q z mu* s 9 fact 
z "o ( ! ,dialogues4 ,& we may p]haps   
ev5 indulge 9 ! fancy t ! actual def5ce 
( ,socrates 0 z mu* great] ?an !        
,platonic def5ce z ! ma/] 0 great] ?an !
 disciple4 ,b 9 any case1 "s ( ! words  
us$ by him mu/ h be5 rememb]$1 & "s ( ! 
facts record$ mu/ h actually occurr$4 ,x
 is significant t ,plato is said to h   
be5 pres5t at ! def5ce 7,apol471 z he is
 also said to h be5 abs5t at ! la/ sc5e 
9 ! 8,phd04 ,is x fanciful to suppose t 

he meant to give ! /amp ( au!nticity to 
! "o & n to ! o!r8--especially :5 we    
consid] t ^! two passages are ! only    
ones 9 :i* ,plato makes m5tion (        
himself4 ,! circum/ance t ,plato 0 to be
 "o ( 8 sureties = ! paym5t ( ! f9e :i* 
he propos$ has ! appe>ance ( tru?4 ,m   
suspici\s is ! /atem5t t ,socrates      
receiv$ ! fir/ impulse to 8 fav\rite    
call+ ( cross-exam9+ ! _w f ! ,oracle ( 
,delphi2 = he mu/ already h be5 fam\s   
be=e ,*a]ephon w5t to consult ! ,oracle 
7,riddell71 & ! /ory is ( a k9d :i* is v
 likely to h be5 inv5t$4 ,on ! :ole we  
arrive at ! conclusion t ! 8,apology0 is
 true to ! "* ( ,socrates1 b we _c %[ t 
any s+le s5t5ce 9 x 0 actually spok5 by 
him4 ,x brea!s ! _s ( ,socrates1 b has  
be5 ca/ anew 9 ! m\ld ( ,plato4  ,!re is
 n mu* 9 ! o!r ,dialogues :i* c be      
comp>$ ) ! 8,apology04 ,! same          
recollection ( 8 ma/] may h be5 pres5t  
to ! m9d ( ,plato :5 depict+ ! suff]+s (
 ! ,j 9 ! 8,republic04 ,! 8,crito0 may  
also be reg>d$ z a sort ( app5dage to ! 

8,apology01 9 :i* ,socrates1 :o has     
defi$ ! judges1 is nev]!less repres5t$ z
 scrupul\sly ob$i5t to ! laws4 ,!       
idealization ( ! suff]] is c>ri$ /ill   
fur!r 9 ! 8,georgias01 9 :i* ! !sis is  
ma9ta9$1 t 8to suff] is bett] ?an to d  
evil20 & ! art ( rhetoric is describ$ z 
only useful = ! purpose (               
self-accusation4 ,! p>allelisms :i*     
occur 9 ! s-call$ 8,apology0 ( ,x5ophon 
are n wor? notic+1 because ! writ+ 9 :i*
 !y are conta9$ is manife/ly spuri\s4 ,!
 /atem5ts ( ! 8,memorabilia0 respect+ ! 
trial & dea? ( ,socrates agree g5]ally )
 ,plato2 b !y h lo/ ! flav\r ( ,socratic
 irony 9 ! n>rative ( ,x5ophon4  ,!     
8,apology0 or ,platonic def5ce (        
,socrates is divid$ into ?ree p>ts3 #a/4
 ,! def5ce prop]ly s call$2 #bnd4 ,!    
%ort] address 9 mitigation ( ! p5alty2  
#crd4 ,! la/ words ( prophetic rebuke & 
exhortation4  ,! fir/ "p comm5ces ) an  
apology = 8 colloquial /yle2 he is1 z he
 has always be51 ! enemy ( rhetoric1 &  
kn[s ( no rhetoric b tru?2 he w n       

falsify 8 "* by mak+ a spee*4 ,!n he    
proce$s to divide 8 accus]s into two    
classes2 fir/1 !re is ! nameless        
accus]--public op9ion4 ,all ! _w f _!   
e>lie/ ye>s _h he>d t he 0 a corrupt] ( 
y\?1 & _h se5 him c>icatur$ 9 ! 8,cl\ds0
 ( ,ari/ophanes4 ,secondly1 !re are !   
pr(ess$ accus]s1 :o are b ! m\?-piece ( 
! o!rs4 ,! accusations ( bo? might be   
summ$ up 9 a =mula4 ,! fir/ say1        
8,socrates is an evil-do] & a curi\s    
p]son1 se>*+ into ?+s "u ! e>? & above !
 heav52 & mak+ ! worse appe> ! bett]    
cause1 & tea*+ all ?is to o!rs40 ,!     
second1 8,socrates is an evil-do] &     
corrupt] ( ! y\?1 :o does n receive !   
gods :om ! /ate receives1 b introduces  
o!r new div9ities40 ,^! la/ words appe> 
to h be5 ! actual indictm5t 7comp>e ,x54
 ,mem472 & ! previ\s =mula1 :i* is a    
summ>y ( public op9ion1 assumes ! same  
legal /yle4  ,! answ] beg9s by cle>+ up 
a confusion4 ,9 ! repres5tations ( !    
,comic poets1 & 9 ! op9ion ( !          
multitude1 he _h be5 id5tifi$ ) ! tea*]s

 ( physical sci5ce & ) ! ,sophi/s4 ,b   
?is 0 an error4 ,= bo? ( !m he pr(esses 
a respect 9 ! op5 c\rt1 :i* contra/s ) 8
 mann] ( speak+ ab\t !m 9 o!r places4   
7,comp>e = ,anaxagoras1 ,phd1 ,laws2 = !
 ,sophi/s1 ,m5o1 ,republic1 ,tim41      
,!aet41 ,soph41 etc47 ,b at ! same "t he
 %[s t he is n "o ( !m4 ,( natural      
philosophy he kn[s no?+2 n t he despises
 su* pursuits1 b ! fact is t he is      
ignorant ( !m1 & nev] says a ^w ab\t !m4
 ,nor is he paid = giv+ in/ruction--t is
 ano!r mi/ak5 notion3--he has no?+ to   
tea*4 ,b he comm5ds ,ev5us = tea*+      
virtue at su* a 8mod]ate0 rate z five   
m94 ,some?+ ( ! 8accu/om$ irony10 :i*   
may p]haps be expect$ to sleep 9 ! e> ( 
! multitude1 is lurk+ "h4  ,he !n goes  
on to expla9 ! reason :y he is 9 su* an 
evil "n4 ,t _h aris5 out ( a peculi>    
mission :i* he _h tak5 ^u himself4 ,!   
en?usia/ic ,*a]ephon 7probably 9        
anticipation ( ! answ] :i* he receiv$7  
_h gone to ,delphi & ask$ ! oracle if   
!re 0 any man wis] ?an ,socrates2 & !   

answ] 01 t !re 0 no man wis]4 ,:at c\ld 
be ! mean+ ( ?is--t he :o knew no?+1 &  
knew t he knew no?+1 %\ld be decl>$ by !
 oracle to be ! wise/ ( m58 ,reflect+ ^u
 ! answ]1 he det]m9$ to refute x by f9d+
 8a wis]20 & fir/ he w5t to !           
politicians1 & !n to ! poets1 & !n to ! 
craftsm51 b always ) ! same result--he  
f\nd t !y knew no?+1 or h>dly any?+ m   
?an himself2 & t ! little advantage :i* 
9 "s cases !y possess$ 0 m ?an          
c\nt]-balanc$ by _! conceit ( k4 ,he    
knew no?+1 & knew t he knew no?+3 !y    
knew little or no?+1 & imag9$ t !y knew 
all ?+s4 ,?us he _h pass$ 8 life z a    
sort ( mission>y 9 detect+ ! pret5d$    
wisdom ( mank9d2 & ?is occupation _h q  
absorb$ him & tak5 him away bo? f public
 & private affairs4 ,"y m5 ( ! ri*] sort
 _h made a pa/ime ( ! same pursuit1 8:i*
 0 n unamus+40 ,& h5ce bitt] enmities _h
 aris52 ! pr(essors ( k _h rev5g$       
!mselves by call+ him a villa9\s        
corrupt] ( y\?1 & by repeat+ !          
commonplaces ab\t a!ism & mat]ialism &  

sophi/ry1 :i* are ! /ock-accusations    
aga9/ all philosoph]s :5 !re is no?+    
else to be said ( !m4  ,! second        
accusation he meets by int]rogat+       
,meletus1 :o is pres5t & c be           
int]rogat$4 8,if he is ! corrupt]1 :o is
 ! improv] ( ! citiz5s80 7,comp>e ,m5o47
 8,all m5 ev]y:]e40 ,b h[ absurd1 h[    
contr>y to analogy is ?is6 ,h[          
inconceivable too1 t he %\ld make !     
citiz5s worse :5 he has to live ) !m4   
,?is surely _c be int5tional2 & if      
un9t5tional1 he ought to h be5 in/ruct$ 
by ,meletus1 & n accus$ 9 ! c\rt4  ,b   
!re is ano!r "p ( ! indictm5t :i* says t
 he tea*es m5 n to receive ! gods :om ! 
city receives1 & has o!r new gods4 8,is 
t ! way 9 :i* he is suppos$ to corrupt !
 y\?80 8,yes1 x is40 8,has he only new  
gods1 or none at all80 8,none at all40  
8,:at1 n ev5 ! sun & moon80 8,no2 :y1 he
 says t ! sun is a /one1 & ! moon e>?40 
,t1 replies ,socrates1 is ! old         
confusion ab\t ,anaxagoras2 ! ,a!nian p 
are n s ignorant z to attribute to !    

influ5ce ( ,socrates notions :i* h f\nd 
_! way into ! drama1 & may be le>n$ at !
 !atre4 ,socrates und]takes to %[ t     
,meletus 7r unju/ifiably7 has be5       
comp\nd+ a riddle 9 ?is "p ( !          
indictm5t3 8,!re are no gods1 b         
,socrates believes 9 ! exi/5ce ( ! sons 
( gods1 :i* is absurd40  ,leav+         
,meletus1 :o has _h en\gh words sp5t ^u 
him1 he returns to ! orig9al accusation4
 ,! "q may be ask$1 ,:y w he p]si/ 9    
foll[+ a pr(ession :i* leads him to     
dea?8 ,:y8--because he mu/ rema9 at 8   
po/ :]e ! god has plac$ him1 z he rema9$
 at ,potidaea1 & ,amphipolis1 & ,delium1
 :]e ! g5]als plac$ him4 ,besides1 he is
 n s ov]wise z to imag9e t he kn[s :e!r 
dea? is a good or an evil2 & he is c]ta9
 t des]tion ( 8 duty is an evil4 ,anytus
 is q "r 9 say+ t !y %\ld nev] h indict$
 him if !y meant to let him g4 ,= he w  
c]ta9ly obey ,god r ?an man2 & w cont9ue
 to prea* to all m5 ( all ages !        
necessity ( virtue & improvem5t2 & if !y
 refuse to li/5 to him he w /ill p]sev]e

 & reprove !m4 ,?is is 8 way ( corrupt+ 
! y\?1 :i* he w n cease to foll[ 9      
ob$i5ce to ! god1 ev5 if a ?\s& dea?s   
await him4  ,he is desir\s t !y %\ld let
 him live--n = 8 own sake1 b = !irs2    
because he is _! heav5-s5t fri5d 7& !y w
 nev] h su* ano!r71 or1 z he may be     
ludicr\sly describ$1 he is ! gadfly :o  
/irs ! g5]\s /e$ into motion4 ,:y !n has
 he nev] tak5 "p 9 public affairs8      
,because ! famili> div9e voice has h9d]$
 him2 if he _h be5 a public man1 & _h   
f\ght = ! "r1 z he w\ld c]ta9ly h f\ght 
aga9/ ! _m1 he w\ld n h liv$1 & c\ld    
!re=e h done no good4 ,twice 9 public   
matt]s he has risk$ 8 life = ! sake (   
ju/ice--once at ! trial ( ! g5]als2 &   
aga9 9 resi/ance to ! tyrannical comm&s 
( ! ,?irty4  ,b1 ?\gh n a public man1 he
 has pass$ 8 days 9 in/ruct+ ! citiz5s  
)\t fee or rew>d--?is 0 8 mission4 ,:e!r
 8 disciples h turn$ out well or ill1 he
 _c ju/ly be *>g$ ) ! result1 = he nev] 
promis$ to tea* !m any?+4 ,!y might come
 if !y lik$1 & !y might /ay away if !y  

lik$3 & !y did come1 because !y f\nd an 
amusem5t 9 he>+ ! pret5d]s to wisdom    
detect$4 ,if !y h be5 corrupt$1 _! eld] 
relatives 7if n !mselves7 might surely  
come into c\rt & witness aga9/ him1 &   
!re is an opportunity /ill = !m to      
appe>4 ,b _! fa!rs & bro!rs all appe> 9 
c\rt 7includ+ 8?is0 ,plato71 to witness 
on 8 behalf2 & if _! relatives are      
corrupt$1 at lea/ !y are uncorrupt$2 8& 
!y are my witnesses4 ,= !y "k t ,i am   
speak+ ! tru?1 & t ,meletus is ly+40    
,?is is ab\t all t he has to say4 ,he w 
n entreat ! judges to sp>e 8 life2 nei!r
 w he pres5t a spectacle ( weep+ *ildr51
 al?\gh he1 too1 is n made ( 8rock or   
oak40 ,"s ( ! judges !mselves may h     
compli$ ) ?is practice on simil>        
occasions1 & he tru/s t !y w n be angry 
) him = n foll[+ _! example4 ,b he feels
 t su* conduct br+s discr$it on ! "n (  
,a!ns3 he feels too1 t ! judge has sworn
 n to give away ju/ice2 & he _c be      
guilty ( ! impiety ( ask+ ! judge to    
break 8 oa?1 :5 he is himself be+ tri$ =

 impiety4  ,z he expect$1 & probably    
int5d$1 he is convict$4 ,& n[ ! tone ( !
 spee*1 in/ead ( be+ m conciliatory1    
becomes m l(ty & comm&+4 ,anytus        
proposes dea? z ! p5alty3 & :at         
c\nt]-proposition %all he make8 ,he1 !  
b5efactor ( ! ,a!nian p1 ^: :ole life   
has be5 sp5t 9 do+ !m good1 %\ld at lea/
 h ! ,olympic victor's rew>d ( ma9t5ance
 9 ! ,prytaneum4 ,or :y %\ld he propose 
any c\nt]-p5alty :5 he does n "k :e!r   
dea?1 :i* ,anytus proposes1 is a good or
 an evil8 ,& he is c]ta9 t imprisonm5t  
is an evil1 exile is an evil4 ,loss (   
money might be an evil1 b !n he has none
 to give2 p]haps he c make up a m9a4    
,let t be ! p5alty1 or1 if 8 fri5ds wi%1
 ?irty m92 = :i* !y w be excell5t       
securities4              ,he is condemn$
 to dea?4   ,he is an old man already1 &
 ! ,a!nians w ga9 no?+ b disgrace by    
depriv+ him ( a few ye>s ( life4 ,p]haps
 he c\ld h escap$1 if he _h *os5 to ?r[ 
d[n 8 arms & entreat = 8 life4 ,b he    
does n at all rep5t ( ! mann] ( 8       

def5ce2 he w\ld r die 9 8 own fa%ion ?an
 live 9 !irs4 ,= ! p5alty (             
unrighte\sness is swift] ?an dea?2 t    
p5alty has already ov]tak5 8 accus]s z  
dea? w soon ov]take him4  ,& n[1 z "o :o
 is ab\t to die1 he w prophesy to !m4   
,!y h put him to dea? 9 ord] to escape !
 necessity ( giv+ an acc\nt ( _! lives4 
,b 8 dea? 8w be ! se$0 ( _m disciples :o
 w conv9ce !m ( _! evil ways1 & w come  
=? to reprove !m 9 h>%] t]ms1 because !y
 are y\ng] & m inconsid]ate4  ,he w\ld l
 to say a few words1 :ile !re is "t1 to 
^? :o w\ld h acquitt$ him4 ,he wi%es !m 
to "k t ! div9e sign nev] int]rupt$ him 
9 ! c\rse ( 8 def5ce2 ! reason ( :i*1 z 
he conjectures1 is t ! dea? to :i* he is
 go+ is a good & n an evil4 ,= ei!r dea?
 is a long sleep1 ! be/ ( sleeps1 or a  
j\rney to ano!r _w 9 :i* ! s\ls ( ! dead
 are ga!r$ toge!r1 & 9 :i* !re may be a 
hope ( see+ ! h]oes ( old--9 :i*1 too1  
!re are j judges2 & z all are immortal1 
!re c be no fe> ( any "o suff]+ dea? = 8
 op9ions4  ,no?+ evil c happ5 to ! good 

man ei!r 9 life or dea?1 & 8 own dea?   
has be5 p]mitt$ by ! gods1 because x 0  
bett] = him to dep>t2 & !re=e he =gives 
8 judges because !y h done him no h>m1  
al?\gh !y nev] meant to d him any good4 
,he has a la/ reque/ to make to !m--t !y
 w tr\ble 8 sons z he has tr\bl$ !m1 if 
!y appe> to pref] ri*es to virtue1 or to
 ?9k !mselves some?+ :5 !y are no?+4    
8,few p]sons w be f\nd to wi% t         
,socrates %\ld h def5d$ himself         
o!rwise10--if1 z we mu/ add1 8 def5ce 0 
t ) :i* ,plato has provid$ him4 ,b leav+
 ?is "q1 :i* does n admit ( a precise   
solution1 we may g on to ask :at 0 !    
impression :i* ,plato 9 ! 8,apology0    
int5d$ to give ( ! "* & conduct ( 8 ma/]
 9 ! la/ great sc5e8 ,did he int5d to   
repres5t him 7#a7 z employ+ sophi/ries2 
7#b7 z design$ly irritat+ ! judges8 ,or 
are ^! sophi/ries to be reg>d$ z belong+
 to ! age 9 :i* he liv$ & to 8 p]sonal  
"*1 & ?is app>5t haught9ess z fl[+ f !  
natural elevation ( 8 position8  ,=     
example1 :5 he says t x is absurd to    

suppose t "o man is ! corrupt] & all !  
re/ ( ! _w ! improv]s ( ! y\?2 or1 :5 he
 argues t he nev] c\ld h corrupt$ ! m5 )
 :om he _h to live2 or1 :5 he proves 8  
belief 9 ! gods because he believes 9 ! 
sons ( gods1 is he s]i\s or je/+8 ,x may
 be obs]v$ t ^! sophisms all occur 9 8  
cross-exam9ation ( ,meletus1 :o is      
easily foil$ & ma/]$ 9 ! h&s ( ! great  
dialectician4 ,p]haps he reg>d$ ^!      
answ]s z good en\gh = 8 accus]1 ( :om he
 makes v light4 ,also !re is a t\* (    
irony 9 !m1 :i* takes !m out ( !        
category ( sophi/ry4 7,comp>e ,eu?yph47 
,t ! mann] 9 :i* he def5ds himself ab\t 
! lives ( 8 disciples is n satisfactory1
 c h>dly be d5i$4 ,fre% 9 ! memory ( !  
,a!nians1 & dete/able z !y des]v$ to be 
to ! newly re/or$ democracy1 7 ! names (
 ,alcibiades1 ,critias1 ,*>mides4 ,x is 
obvi\sly n a suffici5t answ] t ,socrates
 _h nev] pr(ess$ to tea* !m any?+1 & is 
!re=e n ju/ly *>geable ) _! crimes4 ,yet
 ! def5ce1 :5 tak5 out ( ?is ironical   
=m1 is d\btless s\nd3 t 8 tea*+ _h no?+ 

to d ) _! evil lives4 ,"h1 !n1 !        
sophi/ry is r 9 =m ?an 9 sub/ance1 ?\gh 
we might desire t to su* a s]i\s *>ge   
,socrates _h giv5 a m s]i\s answ]4      
,truly *>act]i/ic ( ,socrates is ano!r  
po9t 9 8 answ]1 :i* may also be reg>d$ z
 sophi/ical4 ,he says t 8if he has      
corrupt$ ! y\?1 he mu/ h corrupt$ !m    
involunt>ily40 ,b if1 z ,socrates       
argues1 all evil is involunt>y1 !n all  
crim9als ought to be admoni%$ & n       
puni%$4 ,9 ^! words ! ,socratic doctr9e 
( ! involunt>9ess ( evil is cle>ly      
int5d$ to be convey$4 ,"h aga91 z 9 !   
=m] in/ance1 ! def5ce ( ,socrates is    
untrue practically1 b may be true 9 "s  
ideal or transc5d5tal s5se4 ,!          
commonplace reply1 t if he _h be5 guilty
 ( corrupt+ ! y\? _! relations w\ld     
surely h witness$ aga9/ him1 ) :i* he   
concludes ?is "p ( 8 def5ce1 is m       
satisfactory4  ,aga91 :5 ,socrates      
argues t he mu/ believe 9 ! gods because
 he believes 9 ! sons ( gods1 we mu/    
rememb] t ?is is a refutation n ( !     

orig9al indictm5t1 :i* is consi/5t      
en\gh--8,socrates does n receive ! gods 
:om ! city receives1 & has o!r new      
div9ities0--b ( ! int]pretation put ^u !
 words by ,meletus1 :o has affirm$ t he 
is a d[nright a!i/4 ,to ?is ,socrates   
fairly answ]s1 9 accordance ) ! ideas ( 
! "t1 t a d[nright a!i/ _c believe 9 !  
sons ( gods or 9 div9e ?+s4 ,! notion t 
demons or less] div9ities are ! sons (  
gods is n to be reg>d$ z ironical or    
sceptical4 ,he is argu+ 8ad hom9em0     
accord+ to ! notions ( my?ology curr5t 9
 8 age4 ,yet he ab/a9s f say+ t he      
believ$ 9 ! gods :om ! ,/ate approv$4   
,he does n def5d himself1 z ,x5ophon has
 def5d$ him1 by appeal+ to 8 practice ( 
religion4 ,probably he nei!r :olly      
believ$1 nor disbeliev$1 9 ! exi/5ce ( !
 popul> gods2 he _h no means ( kn[+ ab\t
 !m4 ,accord+ to ,plato 7comp>e ,phd2   
,symp471 z well z ,x5ophon 7,memor471 he
 0 punctual 9 ! p]=mance ( ! lea/       
religi\s duties2 & he mu/ h believ$ 9 8 
own oracul> sign1 ( :i* he seem$ to h an

 int]nal witness4 ,b ! exi/5ce ( ,apollo
 or ,zeus1 or ! o!r gods :om ! ,/ate    
approves1 w\ld h appe>$ to him bo?      
unc]ta9 & unimportant 9 comp>ison ( !   
duty ( self-exam9ation1 & ( ^? pr9ciples
 ( tru? & "r :i* he deem$ to be !       
f\ndation ( religion4 7,comp>e ,pha$r42 
,eu?yph42 ,republic47  ,! second "q1    
:e!r ,plato meant to repres5t ,socrates 
z brav+ or irritat+ 8 judges1 mu/ also  
be answ]$ 9 ! negative4 ,8 irony1 8     
sup]iority1 8 audacity1 8reg>d+ n !     
p]son ( man10 necess>ily fl[ out ( !    
l(t9ess ( 8 situation4 ,he is n act+ a  
"p ^u a great occasion1 b he is :at he  
has be5 all 8 life long1 8a k+ ( m540   
,he w\ld r n appe> insol5t1 if he c\ld  
avoid x 7ou* os au?adizom5os t\to lego74
 ,nei!r is he desir\s ( ha/5+ 8 own end1
 = life & dea? are simply indiff]5t to  
him4 ,b su* a def5ce z w\ld be          
acceptable to 8 judges & might procure  
an acquittal1 x is n 9 8 nature to make4
 ,he w n say or d any?+ t might p]v]t ! 
c\rse ( ju/ice2 he _c h 8 tongue b\nd   

ev5 89 ! ?roat ( dea?40 ,) 8 accus]s he 
w only f5ce & play1 z he _h f5c$ ) o!r  
8improv]s ( y\?10 answ]+ ! ,sophi/      
accord+ to 8 sophi/ry all 8 life long4  
,he is s]i\s :5 he is speak+ ( 8 own    
mission1 :i* seems to di/+ui% him f all 
o!r re=m]s ( mank9d1 & orig9ates 9 an   
accid5t4 ,! d$ication ( himself to !    
improvem5t ( 8 fell[-citiz5s is n s     
rem>kable z ! ironical _s 9 :i* he goes 
ab\t do+ good only 9 v9dication ( !     
cr$it ( ! oracle1 & 9 ! va9 hope ( f9d+ 
a wis] man ?an himself4 ,yet ?is s+ul> &
 almo/ accid5tal "* ( 8 mission agrees )
 ! div9e sign :i*1 accord+ to our       
notions1 is equally accid5tal &         
irrational1 & is nev]!less accept$ by   
him z ! guid+ pr9ciple ( 8 life4        
,socrates is n[h]e repres5t$ to u z a   
free?9k] or sceptic4 ,!re is no reason  
to d\bt 8 s9c]ity :5 he speculates on ! 
possibility ( see+ & kn[+ ! h]oes ( !   
,trojan w> 9 ano!r _w4 ,on ! o!r h&1 8  
hope ( immortality is unc]ta92--he also 
conceives ( dea? z a long sleep 79 ?is  

respect diff]+ f ! ,phd71 & at la/ falls
 back on resignation to ! div9e w1 & !  
c]ta9ty t no evil c happ5 to ! good man 
ei!r 9 life or dea?4 ,8 absolute        
tru?fulness seems to h9d] him f ass]t+  
positively m ?an ?is2 & he makes no     
attempt to veil 8 ignorance 9 my?ology &
 figures ( spee*4 ,! g5tl5ess ( ! fir/  
"p ( ! spee* contra/s ) ! aggravat$1    
almo/ ?reat5+1 tone ( ! conclusion4 ,he 
*>act]i/ically rem>ks t he w n speak z a
 rhetorician1 t is to say1 he w n make a
 regul> def5ce su* z ,lysias or "o ( !  
orators might h compos$ = him1 or1      
accord+ to "s acc\nts1 did compose =    
him4 ,b he fir/ procures himself a he>+ 
by conciliatory words4 ,he does n attack
 ! ,sophi/s2 = !y 7 op5 to ! same *>ges 
z himself2 !y 7 equally ridicul$ by !   
,comic poets1 & almo/ equally hateful to
 ,anytus & ,meletus4 ,yet incid5tally ! 
antagonism betwe5 ,socrates & ! ,sophi/s
 is all[$ to appe>4 ,he is poor & !y are
 ri*2 8 pr(ession t he tea*es no?+ is   
oppos$ to _! read9ess to tea* all ?+s2 8

 talk+ 9 ! m>ketplace to _! private     
in/ructions2 8 t>ry-at-home life to _!  
w&]+ f city to city4 ,! tone :i* he     
assumes t[>ds !m is "o ( real           
fri5dl9ess1 b also ( conceal$ irony4    
,t[>ds ,anaxagoras1 :o _h disappo9t$ him
 9 8 hopes ( le>n+ ab\t m9d & nature1 he
 %[s a less k9dly feel+1 :i* is also !  
feel+ ( ,plato 9 o!r passages 7,laws74  
,b ,anaxagoras _h be5 dead ?irty ye>s1 &
 0 beyond ! rea* ( p]secution4  ,x has  
be5 rem>k$ t ! prophecy ( a new g5]ation
 ( tea*]s :o w\ld rebuke & exhort !     
,a!nian p 9 h>%] & m viol5t t]ms 01 z f>
 z we "k1 nev] fulfill$4 ,no inf]5ce c  
be drawn f ?is circum/ance z to !       
probability ( ! words attribut$ to him  
hav+ be5 actually utt]$4 ,!y express !  
aspiration ( ! fir/ m>tyr ( philosophy1 
t he w\ld leave beh9d him _m foll[]s1   
accompani$ by ! n unnatural feel+ t !y  
w\ld be fi]c] & m inconsid]ate 9 _!     
words :5 emancipat$ f 8 control4  ,!    
above rem>ks mu/ be und]/ood z apply+ ) 
any degree ( c]ta9ty to ! ,platonic     

,socrates only4 ,=1 al?\gh ^! or simil> 
words may h be5 spok5 by ,socrates      
himself1 we _c exclude ! possibility1 t 
l s mu* else1 e4g4 ! wisdom ( ,critias1 
! poem ( ,solon1 ! virtues ( ,*>mides1  
!y may h be5 due only to ! imag9ation ( 
,plato4 ,! argum5ts ( ^? :o ma9ta9 t !  
,apology 0 compos$ dur+ ! process1 re/+ 
on no evid5ce1 d n require a s]i\s      
refutation4 ,nor are ! reason+s (       
,s*lei]ma*]1 :o argues t ! ,platonic    
def5ce is an exact or ne>ly exact       
reproduction ( ! words ( ,socrates1     
p>tly because ,plato w\ld n h be5 guilty
 ( ! impiety ( alt]+ !m1 & also because 
_m po9ts ( ! def5ce might h be5 improv$ 
& /r5g!n$1 at all m conclusive4 7,see   
,engli% ,translation47 ,:at effect !    
dea? ( ,socrates produc$ on ! m9d (     
,plato1 we _c c]ta9ly det]m9e2 nor c we 
say h[ he w\ld or mu/ h writt5 "u !     
circum/ances4 ,we obs]ve t ! enmity (   
,ari/ophanes to ,socrates does n prev5t 
,plato f introduc+ !m toge!r 9 !        
,symposium engag$ 9 fri5dly int]c\rse4  

,nor is !re any trace 9 ! ,dialogues (  
an attempt to make ,anytus or ,meletus  
p]sonally odi\s 9 ! eyes ( ! ,a!nian    
public4     ,,apology   ,h[ y1 ,o       
,a!nians1 h be5 affect$ by my accus]s1  
,i _c tell2 b ,i "k t !y almo/ made me  
=get :o ,i 0--s p]suasively did !y      
speak2 & yet !y h h>dly utt]$ a ^w (    
tru?4 ,b ( ! _m falsehoods told by !m1  
!re 0 "o :i* q amaz$ me2--,i mean :5 !y 
said t y %\ld be ^u y\r gu>d & n all[   
y\rselves to be deceiv$ by ! =ce ( my   
eloqu5ce4 ,to say ?is1 :5 !y 7 c]ta9 to 
be detect$ z soon z ,i op5$ my lips &   
prov$ myself to be any?+ b a great      
speak]1 did inde$ appe> to me mo/       
%ameless--unless by ! =ce ( eloqu5ce !y 
mean ! =ce ( tru?2 = if su* is _! mean+1
 ,i admit t ,i am eloqu5t4 ,b 9 h[      
diff]5t a way f !irs6 ,well1 z ,i 0     
say+1 !y h sc>cely spok5 ! tru? at all2 
b f me y %all he> ! :ole tru?3 n1 h[ev]1
 deliv]$ aft] _! mann] 9 a set oration  
duly ornam5t$ ) words & phrases4 ,no1 by
 heav56 b ,i %all use ! words & argum5ts

 :i* occur to me at ! mom5t2 = ,i am    
confid5t 9 ! ju/ice ( my cause 7,or1 ,i 
am c]ta9 t ,i am "r 9 tak+ ?is c\rse473 
at my "t ( life ,i ought n to be appe>+ 
be=e y1 ,o m5 ( ,a!ns1 9 ! "* ( a       
juv5ile orator--let no "o expect x ( me4
 ,& ,i mu/ beg ( y to grant me a        
fav\r3--,if ,i def5d myself 9 my        
accu/om$ mann]1 & y he> me us+ ! words  
:i* ,i h be5 9 ! habit ( us+ 9 ! agora1 
at ! tables ( ! money-*ang]s1 or any:]e 
else1 ,i w\ld ask y n to be surpris$1 & 
n to int]rupt me on ?is acc\nt4 ,= ,i am
 m ?an sev5ty ye>s ( age1 & appe>+ n[ = 
! fir/ "t 9 a c\rt ( law1 ,i am q a     
/rang] to ! language ( ! place2 & !re=e 
,i w\ld h y reg>d me z if ,i 7 really a 
/rang]1 :om y w\ld excuse if he spoke 9 
8 native tongue1 & aft] ! fa%ion ( 8    
c\ntry3--,am ,i mak+ an unfair reque/ ( 
y8 ,nev] m9d ! mann]1 :i* may or may n  
be good2 b ?9k only ( ! tru? ( my words1
 & give he$ to t3 let ! speak] speak    
truly & ! judge decide ju/ly4  ,& fir/1 
,i h to reply to ! old] *>ges & to my   

fir/ accus]s1 & !n ,i w g on to ! lat]  
ones4 ,= ( old ,i h _h _m accus]s1 :o h 
accus$ me falsely to y dur+ _m ye>s2 &  
,i am m afraid ( !m ?an ( ,anytus & 8   
associates1 :o are dang]\s1 too1 9 _!   
own way4 ,b f> m dang]\s are ! o!rs1 :o 
began :5 y 7 *ildr51 & took possession (
 y\r m9ds ) _! falsehoods1 tell+ ( "o   
,socrates1 a wise man1 :o speculat$ ab\t
 ! heav5 above1 & se>*$ into ! e>?      
b5ea?1 & made ! worse appe> ! bett]     
cause4 ,! dissem9ators ( ?is tale are ! 
accus]s :om ,i dread2 = _! he>]s are apt
 to fancy t su* enquir]s d n believe 9 !
 exi/5ce ( ! gods4 ,& !y are _m1 & _!   
*>ges aga9/ me are ( anci5t date1 & !y 7
 made by !m 9 ! days :5 y 7 m           
impressible ?an y are n[--9 *ildhood1 or
 x may h be5 9 y\?--& ! cause :5 he>d   
w5t by default1 = !re 0 none to answ]4  
,& h>de/ ( all1 ,i d n "k & _c tell !   
names ( my accus]s2 unless 9 ! *ance    
case ( a ,comic poet4 ,all :o f envy &  
malice h p]suad$ y--"s ( !m hav+ fir/   
conv9c$ !mselves--all ?is class ( m5 are

 mo/ difficult to deal )2 = ,i _c h !m  
up "h1 & cross-exam9e !m1 & !re=e ,i mu/
 simply fight ) %ad[s 9 my own def5ce1 &
 argue :5 !re is no "o :o answ]s4 ,i w  
ask y !n to assume ) me1 z ,i 0 say+1 t 
my oppon5ts are ( two k9ds2 "o rec5t1 ! 
o!r anci5t3 & ,i hope t y w see !       
propriety ( my answ]+ ! latt] fir/1 = ^!
 accusations y he>d long be=e ! o!rs1 & 
mu* (t5]4  ,well1 !n1 ,i mu/ make my    
def5ce1 & endeav\r to cle> away 9 a %ort
 "t1 a sl&] :i* has la/$ a long "t4 ,may
 ,i succe$1 if to succe$ be = my good & 
y\rs1 or likely to avail me 9 my cause6 
,! task is n an easy "o2 ,i q und]/& !  
nature ( x4 ,& s leav+ ! ev5t ) ,god1 9 
ob$i5ce to ! law ,i w n[ make my def5ce4
  ,i w beg9 at ! beg9n+1 & ask :at is ! 
accusation :i* has giv5 rise to ! sl&] (
 me1 & 9 fact has enc\rag$ ,meletus to  
pro( ?is *>ge aga9/ me4 ,well1 :at d !  
sl&]]s say8 ,!y %all be my prosecutors1 
& ,i w sum up _! words 9 an affidavit3  
8,socrates is an evil-do]1 & a curi\s   
p]son1 :o se>*es into ?+s "u ! e>? & 9  

heav51 & he makes ! worse appe> ! bett] 
cause2 & he tea*es ! a=esaid doctr9es to
 o!rs40 ,su* is ! nature ( ! accusation3
 x is j :at y h y\rselves se5 9 ! com$y 
( ,ari/ophanes 7,ari/oph41 ,cl\ds471 :o 
has introduc$ a man :om he calls        
,socrates1 go+ ab\t & say+ t he walks 9 
air1 & talk+ a deal ( nons5se conc]n+   
matt]s ( :i* ,i d n pret5d to "k ei!r   
mu* or little--n t ,i mean to speak     
disp>ag+ly ( any "o :o is a /ud5t (     
natural philosophy4 ,i %\ld be v sorry  
if ,meletus c\ld br+ s grave a *>ge     
aga9/ me4 ,b ! simple tru? is1 ,o       
,a!nians1 t ,i h no?+ to d ) physical   
speculations4 ,v _m ( ^? "h pres5t are  
witnesses to ! tru? ( ?is1 & to !m ,i   
appeal4 ,speak !n1 y :o h he>d me1 &    
tell y\r neighb\rs :e!r any ( y h ev]   
kn[n me hold =? 9 few words or 9 _m ^u  
su* matt]s444,y he> _! answ]4 ,& f :at  
!y say ( ?is "p ( ! *>ge y w be able to 
judge ( ! tru? ( ! re/4  ,z little      
f\ndation is !re = ! report t ,i am a   
tea*]1 & take money2 ?is accusation has 

no m tru? 9 x ?an ! o!r4 ,al?\gh1 if a  
man 7 really able to in/ruct mank9d1 to 
receive money = giv+ in/ruction w\ld1 9 
my op9ion1 be an hon\r to him4 ,!re is  
,gorgias ( ,leontium1 & ,prodicus (     
,ceos1 & ,hippias ( ,elis1 :o g ! r\nd (
 ! cities1 & are able to p]suade ! "y m5
 to leave _! own citiz5s by :om !y might
 be taught = no?+1 & come to !m :om !y n
 only pay1 b are ?ankful if !y may be   
all[$ to pay !m4 ,!re is at ?is "t a    
,p>ian philosoph] resid+ 9 ,a!ns1 ( :om 
,i h he>d2 & ,i came to he> ( him 9 ?is 
way3--,i came across a man :o has sp5t a
 _w ( money on ! ,sophi/s1 ,callias1 !  
son ( ,hipponicus1 & kn[+ t he _h sons1 
,i ask$ him3 8,callias10 ,i said1 8if   
y\r two sons 7 foals or calves1 !re w\ld
 be no difficulty 9 f9d+ "s "o to put   
ov] !m2 we %\ld hire a tra9] ( horses1  
or a f>m] probably1 :o w\ld improve &   
p]fect !m 9 _! own prop] virtue &       
excell5ce2 b z !y are human be+s1 :om   
are y ?9k+ ( plac+ ov] !m8 ,is !re any  
"o :o und]/&s human & political virtue8 

,y mu/ h ?\ght ab\t ! matt]1 = y h sons2
 is !re any "o80 8,!re is10 he said4    
8,:o is he80 said ,i2 8& ( :at c\ntry8 &
 :at does he *>ge80 8,ev5us ! ,p>ian10  
he repli$2 8he is ! man1 & 8 *>ge is    
five m940 ,happy is ,ev5us1 ,i said to  
myself1 if he really has ?is wisdom1 &  
tea*es at su* a mod]ate *>ge4 ,_h ,i !  
same1 ,i %\ld h be5 v pr\d & conceit$2 b
 ! tru? is t ,i h no k ( ! k9d4  ,i d>e 
say1 ,a!nians1 t "s "o among y w reply1 
8,yes1 ,socrates1 b :at is ! orig9 ( ^! 
accusations :i* are br\ght aga9/ y2 !re 
mu/ h be5 some?+ /range :i* y h be5 do+8
 ,all ^! rum\rs & ?is talk ab\t y w\ld  
nev] h aris5 if y _h be5 l o!r m53 tell 
u1 !n1 :at is ! cause ( !m1 = we %\ld be
 sorry to judge ha/ily ( y40 ,n[ ,i     
reg>d ?is z a fair *all5ge1 & ,i w      
endeav\r to expla9 to y ! reason :y ,i  
am call$ wise & h su* an evil fame4     
,please to att5d !n4 ,& al?\gh "s ( y   
may ?9k t ,i am jok+1 ,i decl>e t ,i w  
tell y ! entire tru?4 ,m5 ( ,a!ns1 ?is  
reputation ( m9e has come ( a c]ta9 sort

 ( wisdom :i* ,i possess4 ,if y ask me  
:at k9d ( wisdom1 ,i reply1 wisdom su* z
 may p]haps be atta9$ by man1 = to t    
ext5t ,i am incl9$ to believe t ,i am   
wise2 :]eas ! p]sons ( :om ,i 0 speak+ h
 a sup]human wisdom :i* ,i may fail to  
describe1 because ,i h x n myself2 & he 
:o says t ,i h1 speaks falsely1 & is    
tak+ away my "*4 ,& "h1 ,o m5 ( ,a!ns1  
,i mu/ beg y n to int]rupt me1 ev5 if ,i
 seem to say some?+ extravagant4 ,= ! ^w
 :i* ,i w speak is n m9e4 ,i w ref] y to
 a witness :o is wor?y ( cr$it2 t       
witness %all be ! ,god ( ,delphi--he w  
tell y ab\t my wisdom1 if ,i h any1 & ( 
:at sort x is4 ,y mu/ h kn[n ,*a]ephon2 
he 0 e>ly a fri5d ( m9e1 & also a fri5d 
( y\rs1 = he %>$ 9 ! rec5t exile ( ! p1 
& return$ ) y4 ,well1 ,*a]ephon1 z y "k1
 0 v impetu\s 9 all 8 do+s1 & he w5t to 
,delphi & boldly ask$ ! oracle to tell  
him :e!r--z ,i 0 say+1 ,i mu/ beg y n to
 int]rupt--he ask$ ! oracle to tell him 
:e!r anyone 0 wis] ?an ,i 01 & ! ,py?ian
 prophetess answ]$1 t !re 0 no man wis]4

 ,*a]ephon is dead himself2 b 8 bro!r1  
:o is 9 c\rt1 w confirm ! tru? ( :at ,i 
am say+4  ,:y d ,i m5tion ?is8 ,because 
,i am go+ to expla9 to y :y ,i h su* an 
evil "n4 ,:5 ,i he>d ! answ]1 ,i said to
 myself1 ,:at c ! god mean8 & :at is !  
int]pretation ( 8 riddle8 = ,i "k t ,i h
 no wisdom1 small or great4 ,:at !n c he
 mean :5 he says t ,i am ! wise/ ( m58  
,& yet he is a god1 & _c lie2 t w\ld be 
aga9/ 8 nature4 ,aft] long consid]ation1
 ,i ?\ght ( a me?od ( try+ ! "q4 ,i     
reflect$ t if ,i c\ld only f9d a man    
wis] ?an myself1 !n ,i might g to ! god 
) a refutation 9 my h&4 ,i %\ld say to  
him1 8,"h is a man :o is wis] ?an ,i am2
 b y said t ,i 0 ! wise/40 ,accord+ly ,i
 w5t to "o :o _h ! reputation ( wisdom1 
& obs]v$ him--8 "n ,i ne$ n m5tion2 he 0
 a politician :om ,i select$ =          
exam9ation--& ! result 0 z foll[s3 ,:5  
,i began to talk ) him1 ,i c\ld n help  
?9k+ t he 0 n really wise1 al?\gh he 0  
?\ght wise by _m1 & /ill wis] by        
himself2 & !reupon ,i tri$ to expla9 to 

him t he ?\ght himself wise1 b 0 n      
really wise2 & ! consequ5ce 0 t he hat$ 
me1 & 8 enmity 0 %>$ by sev]al :o 7     
pres5t & he>d me4 ,s ,i left him1 say+  
to myself1 z ,i w5t away3 ,well1 al?\gh 
,i d n suppose t ei!r ( u kn[s any?+    
really beautiful & good1 ,i am bett] (f 
?an he is1--= he kn[s no?+1 & ?9ks t he 
kn[s2 ,i nei!r "k nor ?9k t ,i "k4 ,9   
?is latt] p>ticul>1 !n1 ,i seem to h    
slightly ! advantage ( him4 ,!n ,i w5t  
to ano!r :o _h /ill high] pret5sions to 
wisdom1 & my conclusion 0 exactly !     
same4 ,:]eupon ,i made ano!r enemy (    
him1 & ( _m o!rs besides him4  ,!n ,i   
w5t to "o man aft] ano!r1 be+ n         
unconsci\s ( ! enmity :i* ,i provok$1 & 
,i lam5t$ & fe>$ ?is3 b necessity 0 laid
 ^u me1--! ^w ( ,god1 ,i ?\ght1 ought to
 be consid]$ fir/4 ,& ,i said to myself1
 ,g ,i mu/ to all :o appe> to "k1 & f9d 
out ! mean+ ( ! oracle4 ,& ,i swe> to y1
 ,a!nians1 by ! dog ,i swe>6--= ,i mu/  
tell y ! tru?--! result ( my mission 0 j
 ?is3 ,i f\nd t ! m5 mo/ 9 repute 7 all 

b ! mo/ fooli%2 & t o!rs less e/eem$ 7  
really wis] & bett]4 ,i w tell y ! tale 
( my w&]+s & ( ! 8,h]culean0 lab\rs1 z  
,i may call !m1 :i* ,i endur$ only to   
f9d at la/ ! oracle irrefutable4 ,aft] !
 politicians1 ,i w5t to ! poets2 tragic1
 di?yrambic1 & all sorts4 ,& !re1 ,i    
said to myself1 y w be in/antly detect$2
 n[ y w f9d out t y are m ignorant ?an  
!y are4 ,accord+ly1 ,i took !m "s ( !   
mo/ elaborate passages 9 _! own writ+s1 
& ask$ :at 0 ! mean+ ( !m--?9k+ t !y    
w\ld tea* me some?+4 ,w y believe me8 ,i
 am almo/ a%am$ to confess ! tru?1 b ,i 
mu/ say t !re is h>dly a p]son pres5t :o
 w\ld n h talk$ bett] ab\t _! poetry ?an
 !y did !mselves4 ,!n ,i knew t n by    
wisdom d poets write poetry1 b by a sort
 ( g5ius & inspiration2 !y are l div9]s 
or soo?say]s :o also say _m f9e ?+s1 b d
 n und]/& ! mean+ ( !m4 ,! poets appe>$ 
to me to be mu* 9 ! same case2 & ,i     
fur!r obs]v$ t ^u ! /r5g? ( _! poetry !y
 believ$ !mselves to be ! wise/ ( m5 9  
o!r ?+s 9 :i* !y 7 n wise4 ,s ,i dep>t$1

 conceiv+ myself to be sup]ior to !m = !
 same reason t ,i 0 sup]ior to !        
politicians4  ,at la/ ,i w5t to !       
artisans4 ,i 0 consci\s t ,i knew no?+  
at all1 z ,i may say1 & ,i 0 sure t !y  
knew _m f9e ?+s2 & "h ,i 0 n mi/ak51 =  
!y did "k _m ?+s ( :i* ,i 0 ignorant1 & 
9 ?is !y c]ta9ly 7 wis] ?an ,i 04 ,b ,i 
obs]v$ t ev5 ! good artisans fell into !
 same error z ! poets2--because !y 7    
good workm5 !y ?\ght t !y also knew all 
sorts ( high matt]s1 & ?is defect 9 !m  
ov]%ad[$ _! wisdom2 & !re=e ,i ask$     
myself on behalf ( ! oracle1 :e!r ,i    
w\ld l to be z ,i 01 nei!r hav+ _! k nor
 _! ignorance1 or l !m 9 bo?2 & ,i made 
answ] to myself & to ! oracle t ,i 0    
bett] (f z ,i 04  ,?is inquisition has  
l$ to my hav+ _m enemies ( ! wor/ & mo/ 
dang]\s k9d1 & has giv5 occasion also to
 _m calumnies4 ,& ,i am call$ wise1 = my
 he>]s always imag9e t ,i myself possess
 ! wisdom :i* ,i f9d want+ 9 o!rs3 b !  
tru? is1 ,o m5 ( ,a!ns1 t ,god only is  
wise2 & by 8 answ] he int5ds to %[ t !  

wisdom ( m5 is wor? little or no?+2 he  
is n speak+ ( ,socrates1 he is only us+ 
my "n by way ( illu/ration1 z if he     
said1 ,he1 ,o m51 is ! wise/1 :o1 l     
,socrates1 kn[s t 8 wisdom is 9 tru?    
wor? no?+4 ,& s ,i g ab\t ! _w1 ob$i5t  
to ! god1 & se>* & make enquiry into !  
wisdom ( any "o1 :e!r citiz5 or /rang]1 
:o appe>s to be wise2 & if he is n wise1
 !n 9 v9dication ( ! oracle ,i %[ him t 
he is n wise2 & my occupation q absorbs 
me1 & ,i h no "t to give ei!r to any    
public matt] ( int]e/ or to any conc]n (
 my own1 b ,i am 9 utt] pov]ty by reason
 ( my devotion to ! god4  ,!re is ano!r 
?+3--"y m5 ( ! ri*] classes1 :o h n mu* 
to d1 come ab\t me ( _! own accord2 !y l
 to he> ! pret5d]s exam9$1 & !y (t5     
imitate me1 & proce$ to exam9e o!rs2 !re
 are pl5ty ( p]sons1 z !y quickly       
discov]1 :o ?9k t !y "k some?+1 b really
 "k little or no?+2 & !n ^? :o are      
exam9$ by !m in/ead ( be+ angry )       
!mselves are angry ) me3 ,?is conf\nd$  
,socrates1 !y say2 ?is villa9\s mislead]

 ( y\?6--& !n if somebody asks !m1 ,:y1 
:at evil does he practise or tea*8 !y d 
n "k1 & _c tell2 b 9 ord] t !y may n    
appe> to be at a loss1 !y repeat !      
ready-made *>ges :i* are us$ aga9/ all  
philosoph]s ab\t tea*+ ?+s up 9 ! cl\ds 
& "u ! e>?1 & hav+ no gods1 & mak+ !    
worse appe> ! bett] cause2 = !y d n l to
 confess t _! pret5ce ( k has be5       
detect$--:i* is ! tru?2 & z !y are      
num]\s & ambiti\s & en]getic1 & are     
drawn up 9 battle array & h p]suasive   
tongues1 !y h fill$ y\r e>s ) _! l\d &  
invet]ate calumnies4 ,& ?is is ! reason 
:y my ?ree accus]s1 ,meletus & ,anytus &
 ,lycon1 h set ^u me2 ,meletus1 :o has a
 qu>rel ) me on behalf ( ! poets2       
,anytus1 on behalf ( ! craftsm5 &       
politicians2 ,lycon1 on behalf ( !      
rhetoricians3 & z ,i said at ! beg9n+1  
,i _c expect to get rid ( su* a mass (  
calumny all 9 a mom5t4 ,& ?is1 ,o m5 (  
,a!ns1 is ! tru? & ! :ole tru?2 ,i h    
conceal$ no?+1 ,i h dissembl$ no?+4 ,&  
yet1 ,i "k t my pla9ness ( spee* makes  

!m hate me1 & :at is _! hatr$ b a pro( t
 ,i am speak+ ! tru?8--,h5ce has aris5 !
 prejudice aga9/ me2 & ?is is ! reason (
 x1 z y w f9d out ei!r 9 ?is or 9 any   
future enquiry4  ,i h said en\gh 9 my   
def5ce aga9/ ! fir/ class ( my accus]s2 
,i turn to ! second class4 ,!y are head$
 by ,meletus1 t good man & true lov] ( 8
 c\ntry1 z he calls himself4 ,aga9/ ^!1 
too1 ,i mu/ try to make a def5ce3--,let 
_! affidavit be read3 x conta9s some?+ (
 ?is k9d3 ,x says t ,socrates is a do] (
 evil1 :o corrupts ! y\?2 & :o does n   
believe 9 ! gods ( ! /ate1 b has o!r new
 div9ities ( 8 own4 ,su* is ! *>ge2 & n[
 let u exam9e ! p>ticul> c\nts4 ,he says
 t ,i am a do] ( evil1 & corrupt ! y\?2 
b ,i say1 ,o m5 ( ,a!ns1 t ,meletus is a
 do] ( evil1 9 t he pret5ds to be 9     
e>ne/ :5 he is only 9 je/1 & is s eag]  
to br+ m5 to trial f a pret5d$ zeal &   
int]e/ ab\t matt]s 9 :i* he really nev] 
_h ! smalle/ int]e/4 ,& ! tru? ( ?is ,i 
w endeav\r to prove to y4  ,come hi!r1  
,meletus1 & let me ask a "q ( y4 ,y ?9k 

a great deal ab\t ! improvem5t ( y\?8   
,yes1 ,i d4  ,tell ! judges1 !n1 :o is  
_! improv]2 = y mu/ "k1 z y h tak5 !    
pa9s to discov] _! corrupt]1 & are cit+ 
& accus+ me be=e !m4 ,speak1 !n1 & tell 
! judges :o _! improv] is4--,obs]ve1    
,meletus1 t y are sil5t1 & h no?+ to    
say4 ,b is n ?is r disgraceful1 & a v   
consid]able pro( ( :at ,i 0 say+1 t y h 
no int]e/ 9 ! matt]8 ,speak up1 fri5d1 &
 tell u :o _! improv] is4  ,! laws4  ,b 
t1 my good sir1 is n my mean+4 ,i want  
to "k :o ! p]son is1 :o1 9 ! fir/ place1
 kn[s ! laws4  ,! judges1 ,socrates1 :o 
are pres5t 9 c\rt4  ,:at1 d y mean to   
say1 ,meletus1 t !y are able to in/ruct 
& improve y\?8  ,c]ta9ly !y are4  ,:at1 
all ( !m1 or "s only & n o!rs8  ,all (  
!m4  ,by ! goddess ,"h1 t is good news6 
,!re are pl5ty ( improv]s1 !n4 ,& :at d 
y say ( ! audi5ce1--d !y improve !m8    
,yes1 !y d4  ,& ! s5ators8  ,yes1 !     
s5ators improve !m4  ,b p]haps ! memb]s 
( ! assembly corrupt !m8--or d !y too   
improve !m8  ,!y improve !m4  ,!n e     

,a!nian improves & elevates !m2 all ) ! 
exception ( myself2 & ,i alone am _!    
corrupt]8 ,is t :at y affirm8  ,t is :at
 ,i /\tly affirm4  ,i am v un=tunate if 
y are "r4 ,b suppose ,i ask y a "q3 ,h[ 
ab\t horses8 ,does "o man d !m h>m & all
 ! _w good8 ,is n ! exact opposite !    
tru?8 ,"o man is able to d !m good1 or  
at lea/ n _m2--! tra9] ( horses1 t is to
 say1 does !m good1 & o!rs :o h to d )  
!m r injure !m8 ,is n t true1 ,meletus1 
( horses1 or ( any o!r animals8 ,mo/    
assur$ly x is2 :e!r y & ,anytus say yes 
or no4 ,happy inde$ w\ld be ! condition 
( y\? if !y _h "o corrupt] only1 & all !
 re/ ( ! _w 7 _! improv]s4 ,b y1        
,meletus1 h suffici5tly %[n t y nev] _h 
a ?\ght ab\t ! "y3 y\r c>elessness is   
se5 9 y\r n c>+ ab\t ! v ?+s :i* y br+  
aga9/ me4  ,& n[1 ,meletus1 ,i w ask y  
ano!r "q--by ,zeus ,i w3 ,:i* is bett]1 
to live among bad citiz5s1 or among good
 ones8 ,answ]1 fri5d1 ,i say2 ! "q is "o
 :i* may be easily answ]$4 ,d n ! good d
 _! neighb\rs good1 & ! bad d !m evil8  

,c]ta9ly4  ,& is !re anyone :o w\ld r be
 injur$ ?an b5efit$ by ^? :o live ) him8
 ,answ]1 my good fri5d1 ! law requires y
 to answ]--does any "o l to be injur$8  
,c]ta9ly n4  ,& :5 y accuse me (        
corrupt+ & det]iorat+ ! y\?1 d y allege 
t ,i corrupt !m int5tionally or         
un9t5tionally8  ,int5tionally1 ,i say4  
,b y h j admitt$ t ! good d _! neighb\rs
 good1 & ! evil d !m evil4 ,n[1 is t a  
tru? :i* y\r sup]ior wisdom has         
recogniz$ ?us e>ly 9 life1 & am ,i1 at  
my age1 9 su* d>kness & ignorance z n to
 "k t if a man ) :om ,i h to live is    
corrupt$ by me1 ,i am v likely to be    
h>m$ by him2 & yet ,i corrupt him1 &    
int5tionally1 too--s y say1 al?\gh nei!r
 ,i nor any o!r human be+ is ev] likely 
to be conv9c$ by y4 ,b ei!r ,i d n      
corrupt !m1 or ,i corrupt !m            
un9t5tionally2 & on ei!r view ( ! case y
 lie4 ,if my (f5ce is un9t5tional1 ! law
 has no cognizance ( un9t5tional (f5ces3
 y ought to h tak5 me privately1 & w>n$ 
& admoni%$ me2 = if ,i _h be5 bett]     

advis$1 ,i %\ld h left (f do+ :at ,i    
only did un9t5tionally--no d\bt ,i %\ld2
 b y w\ld h no?+ to say to me & refus$  
to tea* me4 ,& n[ y br+ me up 9 ?is     
c\rt1 :i* is a place n ( in/ruction1 b (
 puni%m5t4  ,x w be v cle> to y1        
,a!nians1 z ,i 0 say+1 t ,meletus has no
 c>e at all1 great or small1 ab\t !     
matt]4 ,b /ill ,i %\ld l to "k1         
,meletus1 9 :at ,i am affirm$ to corrupt
 ! "y4 ,i suppose y mean1 z ,i inf] f   
y\r indictm5t1 t ,i tea* !m n to        
ackn[l$ge ! gods :i* ! /ate ackn[l$ges1 
b "s o!r new div9ities or spiritual     
ag5cies 9 _! /ead4 ,^! are ! lessons by 
:i* ,i corrupt ! y\?1 z y say4  ,yes1 t 
,i say emphatically4  ,!n1 by ! gods1   
,meletus1 ( :om we are speak+1 tell me &
 ! c\rt1 9 some:at pla9] t]ms1 :at y    
mean6 = ,i d n z yet und]/& :e!r y      
affirm t ,i tea* o!r m5 to ackn[l$ge "s 
gods1 & !re=e t ,i d believe 9 gods1 &  
am n an entire a!i/--?is y d n lay to my
 *>ge1--b only y say t !y are n ! same  
gods :i* ! city recognizes--! *>ge is t 

!y are diff]5t gods4 ,or1 d y mean t ,i 
am an a!i/ simply1 & a tea*] ( a!ism8   
,i mean ! latt]--t y are a complete     
a!i/4  ,:at an extraord9>y /atem5t6 ,:y 
d y ?9k s1 ,meletus8 ,d y mean t ,i d n 
believe 9 ! godhead ( ! sun or moon1 l  
o!r m58  ,i assure y1 judges1 t he does 
n3 = he says t ! sun is /one1 & ! moon  
e>?4  ,fri5d ,meletus1 y ?9k t y are    
accus+ ,anaxagoras3 & y h b a bad op9ion
 ( ! judges1 if y fancy !m illit]ate to 
su* a degree z n to "k t ^! doctr9es are
 f\nd 9 ! books ( ,anaxagoras !         
,clazom5ian1 :i* are full ( !m4 ,& s1   
=soo?1 ! y\? are said to be taught !m by
 ,socrates1 :5 !re are n unfrequ5tly    
exhibitions ( !m at ! !atre 7,probably 9
 allusion to ,ari/ophanes :o c>icatur$1 
& to ,euripides :o borr[$ ! notions (   
,anaxagoras1 z well z to o!r dramatic   
poets47 7price ( admission "o dra*ma at 
! mo/72 & !y might pay _! money1 & laugh
 at ,socrates if he pret5ds to fa!r ^!  
extraord9>y views4 ,& s1 ,meletus1 y    
really ?9k t ,i d n believe 9 any god8  

,i swe> by ,zeus t y believe absolutely 
9 none at all4  ,nobody w believe y1    
,meletus1 & ,i am pretty sure t y d n   
believe y\rself4 ,i _c help ?9k+1 m5 (  
,a!ns1 t ,meletus is reckless & impud5t1
 & t he has writt5 ?is indictm5t 9 a _s 
( m]e wantonness & y\?ful bravado4 ,has 
he n comp\nd$ a riddle1 ?9k+ to try me8 
,he said to himself3--,i %all see :e!r !
 wise ,socrates w discov] my faceti\s   
contradiction1 or :e!r ,i %all be able  
to deceive him & ! re/ ( !m4 ,= he      
c]ta9ly does appe> to me to contradict  
himself 9 ! indictm5t z mu* z if he said
 t ,socrates is guilty ( n believ+ 9 !  
gods1 & yet ( believ+ 9 !m--b ?is is n l
 a p]son :o is 9 e>ne/4  ,i %\ld l y1 ,o
 m5 ( ,a!ns1 to jo9 me 9 exam9+ :at ,i  
conceive to be 8 inconsi/5cy2 & d y1    
,meletus1 answ]4 ,& ,i mu/ rem9d !      
audi5ce ( my reque/ t !y w\ld n make a  
di/urbance if ,i speak 9 my accu/om$    
mann]3  ,did ev] man1 ,meletus1 believe 
9 ! exi/5ce ( human ?+s1 & n ( human    
be+s8444,i wi%1 m5 ( ,a!ns1 t he w\ld   

answ]1 & n be always try+ to get up an  
int]ruption4 ,did ev] any man believe 9 
horseman%ip1 & n 9 horses8 or 9         
flute-play+1 & n 9 flute-play]s8 ,no1 my
 fri5d2 ,i w answ] to y & to ! c\rt1 z y
 refuse to answ] = y\rself4 ,!re is no  
man :o ev] did4 ,b n[ please to answ] ! 
next "q3 ,c a man believe 9 spiritual & 
div9e ag5cies1 & n 9 spirits or         
demigods8  ,he _c4  ,h[ lucky ,i am to h
 extract$ t answ]1 by ! assi/ance ( !   
c\rt6 ,b !n y swe> 9 ! indictm5t t ,i   
tea* & believe 9 div9e or spiritual     
ag5cies 7new or old1 no matt] = t72 at  
any rate1 ,i believe 9 spiritual        
ag5cies1--s y say & swe> 9 ! affidavit2 
& yet if ,i believe 9 div9e be+s1 h[ c  
,i help believ+ 9 spirits or            
demigods2--mu/ ,i n8 ,to be sure ,i mu/2
 & !re=e ,i may assume t y\r sil5ce     
gives cons5t4 ,n[ :at are spirits or    
demigods8 ,are !y n ei!r gods or ! sons 
( gods8  ,c]ta9ly !y are4  ,b ?is is :at
 ,i call ! faceti\s riddle inv5t$ by y3 
! demigods or spirits are gods1 & y say 

fir/ t ,i d n believe 9 gods1 & !n aga9 
t ,i d believe 9 gods2 t is1 if ,i      
believe 9 demigods4 ,= if ! demigods are
 ! illegitimate sons ( gods1 :e!r by !  
nymphs or by any o!r mo!rs1 ( :om !y are
 said to be ! sons--:at human be+ w ev] 
believe t !re are no gods if !y are !   
sons ( gods8 ,y might z well affirm !   
exi/5ce ( mules1 & d5y t ( horses &     
asses4 ,su* nons5se1 ,meletus1 c\ld only
 h be5 int5d$ by y to make trial ( me4  
,y h put ?is into ! indictm5t because y 
_h no?+ real ( :i* to accuse me4 ,b no  
"o :o has a p>ticle ( und]/&+ w ev] be  
conv9c$ by y t ! same m5 c believe 9    
div9e & sup]human ?+s1 & yet n believe t
 !re are gods & demigods & h]oes4  ,i h 
said en\gh 9 answ] to ! *>ge ( ,meletus3
 any elaborate def5ce is unnecess>y1 b  
,i "k only too well h[ _m are ! enmities
 :i* ,i h incurr$1 & ?is is :at w be my 
de/ruction if ,i am de/roy$2--n         
,meletus1 nor yet ,anytus1 b ! envy &   
detraction ( ! _w1 :i* has be5 ! dea? ( 
_m good m51 & w probably be ! dea? ( _m 

m2 !re is no dang] ( my be+ ! la/ ( !m4 
,"s "o w say3 ,& are y n a%am$1         
,socrates1 ( a c\rse ( life :i* is      
likely to br+ y to an untimely end8 ,to 
him ,i may fairly answ]3 ,!re y are     
mi/ak53 a man :o is good = any?+ ought n
 to calculate ! *ance ( liv+ or dy+2 he 
ought only to consid] :e!r 9 do+ any?+  
he is do+ "r or wrong--act+ ! "p ( a    
good man or ( a bad4 ,:]eas1 ^u y\r     
view1 ! h]oes :o fell at ,troy 7 n good 
= mu*1 & ! son ( ,!tis above all1 :o    
altoge!r despis$ dang] 9 comp>ison )    
disgrace2 & :5 he 0 s eag] to slay      
,hector1 8 goddess "m said to him1 t if 
he av5g$ 8 companion ,patroclus1 & slew 
,hector1 he w\ld die himself--8,fate10  
%e said1 9 ^! or ! l words1 8waits = y  
next aft] ,hector20 he1 receiv+ ?is     
w>n+1 utt]ly despis$ dang] & dea?1 &    
in/ead ( fe>+ !m1 fe>$ r to live 9      
di%on\r1 & n to av5ge 8 fri5d4 8,let me 
die =?)10 he replies1 8& be av5g$ ( my  
enemy1 r ?an abide "h by ! beak$ %ips1 a
 laugh+-/ock & a burd5 ( ! e>?40 ,_h    

,a*illes any ?\ght ( dea? & dang]8 ,=   
:]ev] a man's place is1 :e!r ! place :i*
 he has *os5 or t 9 :i* he has be5 plac$
 by a comm&]1 !re he ought to rema9 9 ! 
h\r ( dang]2 he %\ld n ?9k ( dea? or (  
any?+ b ( disgrace4 ,& ?is1 ,o m5 (     
,a!ns1 is a true say+4  ,/range1 inde$1 
w\ld be my conduct1 ,o m5 ( ,a!ns1 if ,i
 :o1 :5 ,i 0 ord]$ by ! g5]als :om y    
*ose to comm& me at ,potidaea &         
,amphipolis & ,delium1 rema9$ :]e !y    
plac$ me1 l any o!r man1 fac+ dea?--if  
n[1 :51 z ,i conceive & imag9e1 ,god    
ord]s me to fulfil ! philosoph]'s       
mission ( se>*+ into myself & o!r m51 ,i
 7 to des]t my po/ ?r\gh fe> ( dea?1 or 
any o!r fe>2 t w\ld inde$ be /range1 &  
,i might ju/ly be arraign$ 9 c\rt = d5y+
 ! exi/5ce ( ! gods1 if ,i disobey$ !   
oracle because ,i 0 afraid ( dea?1      
fancy+ t ,i 0 wise :5 ,i 0 n wise4 ,= ! 
fe> ( dea? is inde$ ! pret5ce ( wisdom1 
& n real wisdom1 be+ a pret5ce ( kn[+ ! 
unkn[n2 & no "o kn[s :e!r dea?1 :i* m5 9
 _! fe> appreh5d to be ! greate/ evil1  

may n be ! greate/ good4 ,is n ?is      
ignorance ( a disgraceful sort1 !       
ignorance :i* is ! conceit t a man kn[s 
:at he does n "k8 ,& 9 ?is respect only 
,i believe myself to diff] f m5 9 g5]al1
 & may p]haps claim to be wis] ?an !y   
are3--t :]eas ,i "k b little ( ! _w     
bel[1 ,i d n suppose t ,i "k3 b ,i d "k 
t inju/ice & disob$i5ce to a bett]1 :e!r
 ,god or man1 is evil & di%on\rable1 &  
,i w nev] fe> or avoid a possible good r
 ?an a c]ta9 evil4 ,& !re=e if y let me 
g n[1 & are n conv9c$ by ,anytus1 :o    
said t s9ce ,i _h be5 prosecut$ ,i mu/  
be put to dea?2 7or if n t ,i ought nev]
 to h be5 prosecut$ at all72 & t if ,i  
escape n[1 y\r sons w all be utt]ly ru9$
 by li/5+ to my words--if y say to me1  
,socrates1 ?is "t we w n m9d ,anytus1 & 
y %all be let (f1 b ^u "o condition1 t y
 are n to enquire & speculate 9 ?is way 
any m1 & t if y are caught do+ s aga9 y 
%all die2--if ?is 0 ! condition on :i* y
 let me g1 ,i %\ld reply3 ,m5 ( ,a!ns1  
,i hon\r & love y2 b ,i %all obey ,god r

 ?an y1 & :ile ,i h life & /r5g? ,i %all
 nev] cease f ! practice & tea*+ (      
philosophy1 exhort+ any "o :om ,i meet &
 say+ to him aft] my mann]3 ,y1 my      
fri5d1--a citiz5 ( ! great & mighty &   
wise city ( ,a!ns1--are y n a%am$ (     
heap+ up ! greate/ am\nt ( money & hon\r
 & reputation1 & c>+ s little ab\t      
wisdom & tru? & ! greate/ improvem5t ( !
 s\l1 :i* y nev] reg>d or he$ at all8 ,&
 if ! p]son ) :om ,i am argu+1 says3    
,yes1 b ,i d c>e2 !n ,i d n leave him or
 let him g at once2 b ,i proce$ to      
int]rogate & exam9e & cross-exam9e him1 
& if ,i ?9k t he has no virtue 9 him1 b 
only says t he has1 ,i reproa* him )    
und]valu+ ! great]1 & ov]valu+ ! less4  
,& ,i %all repeat ! same words to e "o  
:om ,i meet1 "y & old1 citiz5 & ali51 b 
especially to ! citiz5s1 inasmu* z !y   
are my bre?r54 ,= "k t ?is is ! comm& ( 
,god2 & ,i believe t no great] good has 
ev] happ5$ 9 ! /ate ?an my s]vice to !  
,god4 ,= ,i d no?+ b g ab\t p]suad+ y   
all1 old & "y alike1 n to take ?\ght =  

y\r p]sons or y\r prop]ties1 b fir/ &   
*iefly to c>e ab\t ! greate/ improvem5t 
( ! s\l4 ,i tell y t virtue is n giv5 by
 money1 b t f virtue comes money & e o!r
 good ( man1 public z well z private4   
,?is is my tea*+1 & if ?is is ! doctr9e 
:i* corrupts ! y\?1 ,i am a mis*iev\s   
p]son4 ,b if any "o says t ?is is n my  
tea*+1 he is speak+ an untru?4 ,:]e=e1  
,o m5 ( ,a!ns1 ,i say to y1 d z ,anytus 
bids or n z ,anytus bids1 & ei!r acquit 
me or n2 b :i*ev] y d1 und]/& t ,i %all 
nev] alt] my ways1 n ev5 if ,i h to die 
_m times4  ,m5 ( ,a!ns1 d n int]rupt1 b 
he> me2 !re 0 an und]/&+ betwe5 u t y   
%\ld he> me to ! end3 ,i h some?+ m to  
say1 at :i* y may be incl9$ to cry out2 
b ,i believe t to he> me w be good = y1 
& !re=e ,i beg t y w n cry out4 ,i w\ld 
h y "k1 t if y kill su* an "o z ,i am1 y
 w injure y\rselves m ?an y w injure me4
 ,no?+ w injure me1 n ,meletus nor yet  
,anytus--!y _c1 = a bad man is n p]mitt$
 to injure a bett] ?an himself4 ,i d n  
d5y t ,anytus may1 p]haps1 kill him1 or 

drive him into exile1 or deprive him (  
civil rights2 & he may imag9e1 & o!rs   
may imag9e1 t he is inflict+ a great    
injury ^u him3 b !re ,i d n agree4 ,= ! 
evil ( do+ z he is do+--! evil ( unju/ly
 tak+ away ! life ( ano!r--is great] f>4
  ,& n[1 ,a!nians1 ,i am n go+ to argue 
= my own sake1 z y may ?9k1 b = y\rs1 t 
y may n s9 aga9/ ! ,god by condemn+ me1 
:o am 8 gift to y4 ,= if y kill me y w n
 easily f9d a successor to me1 :o1 if ,i
 may use su* a ludicr\s figure ( spee*1 
am a sort ( gadfly1 giv5 to ! /ate by   
,god2 & ! /ate is a great & noble /e$ :o
 is t>dy 9 8 motions ow+ to 8 v size1 & 
requires to be /irr$ into life4 ,i am t 
gadfly :i* ,god has atta*$ to ! /ate1 & 
all day long & 9 all places am always   
fa/5+ ^u y1 ar\s+ & p]suad+ & reproa*+  
y4 ,y w n easily f9d ano!r l me1 & !re=e
 ,i w\ld advise y to sp>e me4 ,i d>e say
 t y may feel out ( temp] 7l a p]son :o 
is sudd5ly awak5$ f sleep71 & y ?9k t y 
might easily /rike me dead z ,anytus    
advises1 & !n y w\ld sleep on = !       

rema9d] ( y\r lives1 unless ,god 9 8 c>e
 ( y s5t y ano!r gadfly4 ,:5 ,i say t ,i
 am giv5 to y by ,god1 ! pro( ( my      
mission is ?is3--if ,i _h be5 l o!r m51 
,i %\ld n h neglect$ all my own conc]ns 
or pati5tly se5 ! neglect ( !m dur+ all 
^! ye>s1 & h be5 do+ y\rs1 com+ to y    
individually l a fa!r or eld] bro!r1    
exhort+ y to reg>d virtue2 su* conduct1 
,i say1 w\ld be unlike human nature4 ,if
 ,i _h ga9$ any?+1 or if my exhortations
 _h be5 paid1 !re w\ld h be5 "s s5se 9  
my do+ s2 b n[1 z y w p]ceive1 n ev5 !  
impud5ce ( my accus]s d>es to say t ,i h
 ev] exact$ or s\ght pay ( any "o2 ( t  
!y h no witness4 ,& ,i h a suffici5t    
witness to ! tru? ( :at ,i say--my      
pov]ty4  ,"s "o may wond] :y ,i g ab\t 9
 private giv+ advice & busy+ myself ) ! 
conc]ns ( o!rs1 b d n v5ture to come    
=w>d 9 public & advise ! /ate4 ,i w tell
 y :y4 ,y h he>d me speak at sundry     
times & 9 div]s places ( an oracle or   
sign :i* comes to me1 & is ! div9ity :i*
 ,meletus ridicules 9 ! indictm5t4 ,?is 

sign1 :i* is a k9d ( voice1 fir/ began  
to come to me :5 ,i 0 a *ild2 x always  
=bids b nev] comm&s me to d any?+ :i* ,i
 am go+ to d4 ,?is is :at det]s me f be+
 a politician4 ,& rightly1 z ,i ?9k4 ,= 
,i am c]ta91 ,o m5 ( ,a!ns1 t if ,i _h  
engag$ 9 politics1 ,i %\ld h p]i%$ long 
ago1 & done no good ei!r to y or to     
myself4 ,& d n be (f5d$ at my tell+ y ! 
tru?3 = ! tru? is1 t no man :o goes to  
w> ) y or any o!r multitude1 hone/ly    
/riv+ aga9/ ! _m lawless & unrighte\s   
de$s :i* are done 9 a /ate1 w save 8    
life2 he :o w fight = ! "r1 if he w\ld  
live ev5 = a brief space1 mu/ h a       
private /ation & n a public "o4  ,i c   
give y conv9c+ evid5ce ( :at ,i say1 n  
words only1 b :at y value f> m--actions4
 ,let me relate to y a passage ( my own 
life :i* w prove to y t ,i %\ld nev] h  
yield$ to inju/ice f any fe> ( dea?1 & t
 8z ,i %\ld h refus$ to yield0 ,i mu/ h 
di$ at once4 ,i w tell y a tale ( !     
c\rts1 n v int]e/+ p]haps1 b nev]!less  
true4 ,! only (fice ( /ate :i* ,i ev]   

held1 ,o m5 ( ,a!ns1 0 t ( s5ator3 !    
tribe ,antio*is1 :i* is my tribe1 _h !  
presid5cy at ! trial ( ! g5]als :o _h n 
tak5 up ! bodies ( ! sla9 aft] ! battle 
( ,arg9usae2 & y propos$ to try !m 9 a  
body1 contr>y to law1 z y all ?\ght     
aft]w>ds2 b at ! "t ,i 0 ! only "o ( !  
,prytanes :o 0 oppos$ to ! illegality1 &
 ,i gave my vote aga9/ y2 & :5 ! orators
 ?reat5$ to impea* & arre/ me1 & y call$
 & %\t$1 ,i made up my m9d t ,i w\ld run
 ! risk1 hav+ law & ju/ice ) me1 r ?an  
take "p 9 y\r inju/ice because ,i fe>$  
imprisonm5t & dea?4 ,?is happ5$ 9 ! days
 ( ! democracy4 ,b :5 ! olig>*y ( !     
,?irty 0 9 p[]1 !y s5t = me & f\r o!rs  
into ! rotunda1 & bade u br+ ,leon !    
,salam9ian f ,salamis1 z !y want$ to put
 him to dea?4 ,?is 0 a specim5 ( ! sort 
( comm&s :i* !y 7 always giv+ ) ! view (
 implicat+ z _m z possible 9 _! crimes2 
& !n ,i %[$1 n 9 ^w only b 9 de$1 t1 if 
,i may be all[$ to use su* an           
expression1 ,i c>$ n a /raw = dea?1 & t 
my great & only c>e 0 le/ ,i %\ld d an  

unrighte\s or unholy ?+4 ,= ! /rong arm 
( t oppressive p[] did n fright5 me into
 do+ wrong2 & :5 we came out ( ! rotunda
 ! o!r f\r w5t to ,salamis & fet*$      
,leon1 b ,i w5t quietly home4 ,= :i* ,i 
might h lo/ my life1 _h n ! p[] ( !     
,?irty %ortly aft]w>ds come to an end4  
,& _m w witness to my words4  ,n[ d y   
really imag9e t ,i c\ld h surviv$ all ^!
 ye>s1 if ,i _h l$ a public life1       
suppos+ t l a good man ,i _h always     
ma9ta9$ ! "r & _h made ju/ice1 z ,i     
ought1 ! fir/ ?+8 ,no inde$1 m5 ( ,a!ns1
 nei!r ,i nor any o!r man4 ,b ,i h be5  
always ! same 9 all my actions1 public z
 well z private1 & nev] h ,i yield$ any 
base compliance to ^? :o are sl&]\sly   
t]m$ my disciples1 or to any o!r4 ,n t  
,i h any regul> disciples4 ,b if any "o 
likes to come & he> me :ile ,i am pursu+
 my mission1 :e!r he be "y or old1 he is
 n exclud$4 ,nor d ,i conv]se only ) ^? 
:o pay2 b any "o1 :e!r he be ri* or     
poor1 may ask & answ] me & li/5 to my   
words2 & :e!r he turns out to be a bad  

man or a good "o1 nei!r result c be     
ju/ly imput$ to me2 = ,i nev] taught or 
pr(ess$ to tea* him any?+4 ,& if any "o 
says t he has ev] le>n$ or he>d any?+ f 
me 9 private :i* all ! _w has n he>d1   
let me tell y t he is ly+4  ,b ,i %all  
be ask$1 ,:y d p delight 9 cont9ually   
conv]s+ ) y8 ,i h told y already1       
,a!nians1 ! :ole tru? ab\t ?is matt]3 !y
 l to he> ! cross-exam9ation ( !        
pret5d]s to wisdom2 !re is amusem5t 9 x4
 ,n[ ?is duty ( cross-exam9+ o!r m5 has 
be5 impos$ ^u me by ,god2 & has be5     
signifi$ to me by oracles1 visions1 & 9 
e way 9 :i* ! w ( div9e p[] 0 ev]       
intimat$ to any "o4 ,?is is true1 ,o    
,a!nians1 or1 if n true1 w\ld be soon   
refut$4 ,if ,i am or h be5 corrupt+ !   
y\?1 ^? ( !m :o are n[ gr[n up & h      
become s5sible t ,i gave !m bad advice 9
 ! days ( _! y\? %\ld come =w>d z       
accus]s1 & take _! rev5ge2 or if !y d n 
l to come !mselves1 "s ( _! relatives1  
fa!rs1 bro!rs1 or o!r k9sm51 %\ld say   
:at evil _! families h suff]$ at my h&s4

 ,n[ is _! "t4 ,_m ( !m ,i see 9 ! c\rt4
 ,!re is ,crito1 :o is ( ! same age & ( 
! same deme ) myself1 & !re is          
,critobulus 8 son1 :om ,i also see4 ,!n 
aga9 !re is ,lysanias ( ,sphettus1 :o is
 ! fa!r ( ,aes*9es--he is pres5t2 & also
 !re is ,antiphon ( ,cephisus1 :o is !  
fa!r ( ,epig5es2 & !re are ! bro!rs (   
sev]al :o h associat$ ) me4 ,!re is     
,nico/ratus ! son ( ,!osdotides1 & !    
bro!r ( ,!odotus 7n[ ,!odotus himself is
 dead1 & !re=e he1 at any rate1 w n seek
 to /op him72 & !re is ,p>alus ! son (  
,demodocus1 :o _h a bro!r ,!ages2 &     
,adeimantus ! son ( ,ari/on1 ^: bro!r   
,plato is pres5t2 & ,aeantodorus1 :o is 
! bro!r ( ,apollodorus1 :om ,i also see4
 ,i might m5tion a great _m o!rs1 "s (  
:om ,meletus %\ld h produc$ z witnesses 
9 ! c\rse ( 8 spee*2 & let him /ill     
produce !m1 if he has =gott5--,i w make 
way = him4 ,& let him say1 if he has any
 te/imony ( ! sort :i* he c produce4    
,nay1 ,a!nians1 ! v opposite is ! tru?4 
,= all ^! are ready to witness on behalf

 ( ! corrupt]1 ( ! injur] ( _! k9dr$1 z 
,meletus & ,anytus call me2 n ! corrupt$
 y\? only--!re might h be5 a motive =   
t--b _! uncorrupt$ eld] relatives4 ,:y  
%\ld !y too support me ) _! te/imony8   
,:y1 inde$1 except = ! sake ( tru? &    
ju/ice1 & because !y "k t ,i am speak+ !
 tru?1 & t ,meletus is a li>4  ,well1   
,a!nians1 ?is & ! l ( ?is is all !      
def5ce :i* ,i h to (f]4 ,yet a ^w m4    
,p]haps !re may be "s "o :o is (f5d$ at 
me1 :5 he calls to m9d h[ he himself on 
a simil>1 or ev5 a less s]i\s occasion1 
pray$ & entreat$ ! judges ) _m te>s1 &  
h[ he produc$ 8 *ildr5 9 c\rt1 :i* 0 a  
mov+ spectacle1 toge!r ) a ho/ (        
relations & fri5ds2 :]eas ,i1 :o am     
probably 9 dang] ( my life1 w d none (  
^! ?+s4 ,! contra/ may occur to 8 m9d1 &
 he may be set aga9/ me1 & vote 9 ang]  
because he is displeas$ at me on ?is    
acc\nt4 ,n[ if !re be su* a p]son among 
y1--m9d1 ,i d n say t !re is1--to him ,i
 may fairly reply3 ,my fri5d1 ,i am a   
man1 & l o!r m51 a creature ( fle% &    

blood1 & n 8( wood or /one10 z ,hom]    
says2 & ,i h a family1 yes1 & sons1 ,o  
,a!nians1 ?ree 9 numb]1 "o almo/ a man1 
& two o!rs :o are /ill "y2 & yet ,i w n 
br+ any ( !m hi!r 9 ord] to petition y =
 an acquittal4 ,& :y n8 ,n f any        
self-ass]tion or want ( respect = y4    
,:e!r ,i am or am n afraid ( dea? is    
ano!r "q1 ( :i* ,i w n n[ speak4 ,b1    
hav+ reg>d to public op9ion1 ,i feel t  
su* conduct w\ld be discr$itable to     
myself1 & to y1 & to ! :ole /ate4 ,"o :o
 has rea*$ my ye>s1 & :o has a "n =     
wisdom1 ought n to demean himself4 ,:e!r
 ?is op9ion ( me be des]v$ or n1 at any 
rate ! _w has decid$ t ,socrates is 9 "s
 way sup]ior to o!r m54 ,& if ^? among y
 :o are said to be sup]ior 9 wisdom &   
c\rage1 & any o!r virtue1 demean        
!mselves 9 ?is way1 h[ %ameful is _!    
conduct6 ,i h se5 m5 ( reputation1 :5 !y
 h be5 condemn$1 behav+ 9 ! /range/     
mann]3 !y seem$ to fancy t !y 7 go+ to  
suff] some?+ dreadful if !y di$1 & t !y 
c\ld be immortal if y only all[$ !m to  

live2 & ,i ?9k t su* are a di%on\r to ! 
/ate1 & t any /rang] com+ 9 w\ld h said 
( !m t ! mo/ em95t m5 ( ,a!ns1 to :om ! 
,a!nians !mselves give hon\r & comm&1   
are no bett] ?an wom54 ,& ,i say t ^!   
?+s ought n to be done by ^? ( u :o h a 
reputation2 & if !y are done1 y ought n 
to p]mit !m2 y ought r to %[ t y are f> 
m dispos$ to condemn ! man :o gets up a 
doleful sc5e & makes ! city ridicul\s1  
?an him :o holds 8 peace4  ,b1 sett+    
aside ! "q ( public op9ion1 !re seems to
 be some?+ wrong 9 ask+ a fav\r ( a     
judge1 & ?us procur+ an acquittal1      
in/ead ( in=m+ & conv9c+ him4 ,= 8 duty 
is1 n to make a pres5t ( ju/ice1 b to   
give judgm5t2 & he has sworn t he w     
judge accord+ to ! laws1 & n accord+ to 
8 own good pleasure2 & we ought n to    
enc\rage y1 nor %\ld y all[ y\rselves to
 be enc\rag$1 9 ?is habit ( p]jury--!re 
c be no piety 9 t4 ,d n !n require me to
 d :at ,i consid] di%on\rable & impi\s &
 wrong1 especially n[1 :5 ,i am be+ tri$
 = impiety on ! indictm5t ( ,meletus4 ,=

 if1 ,o m5 ( ,a!ns1 by =ce ( p]suasion &
 entreaty ,i c\ld ov]p[] y\r oa?s1 !n ,i
 %\ld be tea*+ y to believe t !re are no
 gods1 & 9 def5d+ %\ld simply convict   
myself ( ! *>ge ( n believ+ 9 !m4 ,b t  
is n s--f> o!rwise4 ,= ,i d believe t   
!re are gods1 & 9 a s5se high] ?an t 9  
:i* any ( my accus]s believe 9 !m4 ,& to
 y & to ,god ,i commit my cause1 to be  
det]m9$ by y z is be/ = y & me4   ,!re  
are _m reasons :y ,i am n griev$1 ,o m5 
( ,a!ns1 at ! vote ( condemnation4 ,i   
expect$ x1 & am only surpris$ t ! votes 
are s ne>ly equal2 = ,i _h ?\ght t !    
majority aga9/ me w\ld h be5 f> l>g]2 b 
n[1 _h ?irty votes gone ov] to ! o!r    
side1 ,i %\ld h be5 acquitt$4 ,& ,i may 
say1 ,i ?9k1 t ,i h escap$ ,meletus4 ,i 
may say m2 = )\t ! assi/ance ( ,anytus &
 ,lycon1 any "o may see t he w\ld n h _h
 a fif? "p ( ! votes1 z ! law requires1 
9 :i* case he w\ld h incurr$ a f9e ( a  
?\s& dra*mae4  ,& s he proposes dea? z !
 p5alty4 ,& :at %all ,i propose on my   
"p1 ,o m5 ( ,a!ns8 ,cle>ly t :i* is my  

due4 ,& :at is my due8 ,:at return %all 
be made to ! man :o has nev] _h ! wit to
 be idle dur+ 8 :ole life2 b has be5    
c>eless ( :at ! _m c>e =--weal?1 &      
family int]e/s1 & milit>y (fices1 &     
speak+ 9 ! assembly1 & magi/racies1 &   
plots1 & p>ties4 ,reflect+ t ,i 0 really
 too hone/ a man to be a politician &   
live1 ,i did n g :]e ,i c\ld d no good  
to y or to myself2 b :]e ,i c\ld d !    
greate/ good privately to e "o ( y1 ?i!r
 ,i w5t1 & s\ght to p]suade e man among 
y t he mu/ look to himself1 & seek      
virtue & wisdom be=e he looks to 8      
private int]e/s1 & look to ! /ate be=e  
he looks to ! int]e/s ( ! /ate2 & t ?is 
%\ld be ! ord] :i* he obs]ves 9 all 8   
actions4 ,:at %all be done to su* an "o8
 ,d\btless "s good ?+1 ,o m5 ( ,a!ns1 if
 he has 8 rew>d2 & ! good %\ld be ( a   
k9d suitable to him4 ,:at w\ld be a     
rew>d suitable to a poor man :o is y\r  
b5efactor1 & :o desires leisure t he may
 in/ruct y8 ,!re c be no rew>d s fitt+ z
 ma9t5ance 9 ! ,prytaneum1 ,o m5 (      

,a!ns1 a rew>d :i* he des]ves f> m ?an !
 citiz5 :o has won ! prize at ,olympia 9
 ! horse or *>iot race1 :e!r ! *>iots 7 
drawn by two horses or by _m4 ,= ,i am 9
 want1 & he has en\gh2 & he only gives y
 ! appe>ance ( happ9ess1 & ,i give y !  
reality4 ,& if ,i am to e/imate ! p5alty
 fairly1 ,i %\ld say t ma9t5ance 9 !    
,prytaneum is ! j return4  ,p]haps y ?9k
 t ,i am brav+ y 9 :at ,i am say+ n[1 z 
9 :at ,i said be=e ab\t ! te>s & pray]s4
 ,b ?is is n s4 ,i speak r because ,i am
 conv9c$ t ,i nev] int5tionally wrong$  
any "o1 al?\gh ,i _c conv9ce y--! "t has
 be5 too %ort2 if !re 7 a law at ,a!ns1 
z !re is 9 o!r cities1 t a capital cause
 %\ld n be decid$ 9 "o day1 !n ,i       
believe t ,i %\ld h conv9c$ y4 ,b ,i _c 
9 a mom5t refute great sl&]s2 &1 z ,i am
 conv9c$ t ,i nev] wrong$ ano!r1 ,i w   
assur$ly n wrong myself4 ,i w n say (   
myself t ,i des]ve any evil1 or propose 
any p5alty4 ,:y %\ld ,i8 because ,i am  
afraid ( ! p5alty ( dea? :i* ,meletus   
proposes8 ,:5 ,i d n "k :e!r dea? is a  

good or an evil1 :y %\ld ,i propose a   
p5alty :i* w\ld c]ta9ly be an evil8     
,%all ,i say imprisonm5t8 ,& :y %\ld ,i 
live 9 prison1 & be ! slave ( !         
magi/rates ( ! ye>--( ! ,elev58 ,or %all
 ! p5alty be a f9e1 & imprisonm5t until 
! f9e is paid8 ,!re is ! same objection4
 ,i %\ld h to lie 9 prison1 = money ,i h
 none1 & _c pay4 ,& if ,i say exile 7&  
?is may possibly be ! p5alty :i* y w    
affix71 ,i mu/ inde$ be bl9d$ by ! love 
( life1 if ,i am s irrational z to      
expect t :5 y1 :o are my own citiz5s1 _c
 endure my disc\rses & words1 & h f\nd  
!m s griev\s & odi\s t y w h no m ( !m1 
o!rs are likely to endure me4 ,no inde$1
 m5 ( ,a!ns1 t is n v likely4 ,& :at a  
life %\ld ,i lead1 at my age1 w&]+ f    
city to city1 ev] *ang+ my place (      
exile1 & always be+ driv5 out6 ,= ,i am 
q sure t :]ev] ,i g1 !re1 z "h1 ! "y m5 
w flock to me2 & if ,i drive !m away1 _!
 eld]s w drive me out at _! reque/2 & if
 ,i let !m come1 _! fa!rs & fri5ds w    
drive me out = _! sakes4  ,"s "o w say3 

,yes1 ,socrates1 b _c y hold y\r tongue1
 & !n y may g into a =eign city1 & no "o
 w int]f]e ) y8 ,n[ ,i h great          
difficulty 9 mak+ y und]/& my answ] to  
?is4 ,= if ,i tell y t to d z y say w\ld
 be a disob$i5ce to ! ,god1 & !re=e t ,i
 _c hold my tongue1 y w n believe t ,i  
am s]i\s2 & if ,i say aga9 t daily to   
disc\rse ab\t virtue1 & ( ^? o!r ?+s    
ab\t :i* y he> me exam9+ myself & o!rs1 
is ! greate/ good ( man1 & t ! unexam9$ 
life is n wor? liv+1 y are /ill less    
likely to believe me4 ,yet ,i say :at is
 true1 al?\gh a ?+ ( :i* x is h>d = me  
to p]suade y4 ,also1 ,i h nev] be5      
accu/om$ to ?9k t ,i des]ve to suff] any
 h>m4 ,_h ,i money ,i might h e/imat$ ! 
(f5ce at :at ,i 0 able to pay1 & n h be5
 mu* ! worse4 ,b ,i h none1 & !re=e ,i  
mu/ ask y to proportion ! f9e to my     
means4 ,well1 p]haps ,i c\ld af=d a m9a1
 & !re=e ,i propose t p5alty3 ,plato1   
,crito1 ,critobulus1 & ,apollodorus1 my 
fri5ds "h1 bid me say ?irty m91 & !y w  
be ! sureties4 ,let ?irty m9 be !       

p5alty2 = :i* sum !y w be ample security
 to y4   ,n mu* "t w be ga9$1 ,o        
,a!nians1 9 return = ! evil "n :i* y w  
get f ! detractors ( ! city1 :o w say t 
y kill$ ,socrates1 a wise man2 = !y w   
call me wise1 ev5 al?\gh ,i am n wise1  
:5 !y want to reproa* y4 ,if y _h wait$ 
a little :ile1 y\r desire w\ld h be5    
fulfill$ 9 ! c\rse ( nature4 ,= ,i am f>
 advanc$ 9 ye>s1 z y may p]ceive1 & n f>
 f dea?4 ,i am speak+ n[ n to all ( y1 b
 only to ^? :o h condemn$ me to dea?4 ,&
 ,i h ano!r ?+ to say to !m3 y ?9k t ,i 
0 convict$ because ,i _h no words ( !   
sort :i* w\ld h procur$ my acquittal--,i
 mean1 if ,i _h ?\ght fit to leave no?+ 
undone or unsaid4 ,n s2 ! defici5cy :i* 
l$ to my conviction 0 n ( words--c]ta9ly
 n4 ,b ,i _h n ! boldness or impud5ce or
 incl9ation to address y z y w\ld h lik$
 me to d1 weep+ & wail+ & lam5t+1 & say+
 & do+ _m ?+s :i* y h be5 accu/om$ to   
he> f o!rs1 & :i*1 z ,i ma9ta91 are     
unwor?y ( me4 ,i ?\ght at ! "t t ,i     
ought n to d any?+ common or mean :5 9  

dang]3 nor d ,i n[ rep5t ( ! /yle ( my  
def5ce2 ,i w\ld r die hav+ spok5 aft] my
 mann]1 ?an speak 9 y\r mann] & live4 ,=
 nei!r 9 w> nor yet at law ought ,i or  
any man to use e way ( escap+ dea?4 ,(t5
 9 battle !re c be no d\bt t if a man w 
?r[ away 8 arms1 & fall on 8 knees be=e 
8 pursu]s1 he may escape dea?2 & 9 o!r  
dang]s !re are o!r ways ( escap+ dea?1  
if a man is will+ to say & d any?+4 ,!  
difficulty1 my fri5ds1 is n to avoid    
dea?1 b to avoid unrighte\sness2 = t    
runs fa/] ?an dea?4 ,i am old & move    
sl[ly1 & ! sl[] runn] has ov]tak5 me1 & 
my accus]s are ke5 & quick1 & ! fa/]    
runn]1 :o is unrighte\sness1 has ov]tak5
 !m4 ,& n[ ,i dep>t h5ce condemn$ by y  
to suff] ! p5alty ( dea?1--!y too g _!  
ways condemn$ by ! tru? to suff] !      
p5alty ( villa9y & wrong2 & ,i mu/ abide
 by my aw>d--let !m abide by !irs4 ,i   
suppose t ^! ?+s may be reg>d$ z        
fat$1--& ,i ?9k t !y are well4  ,& n[1  
,o m5 :o h condemn$ me1 ,i w\ld fa9     
prophesy to y2 = ,i am ab\t to die1 & 9 

! h\r ( dea? m5 are gift$ ) prophetic   
p[]4 ,& ,i prophesy to y :o are my      
murd]]s1 t imm$iately aft] my dep>ture  
puni%m5t f> heavi] ?an y h inflict$ on  
me w surely await y4 ,me y h kill$      
because y want$ to escape ! accus]1 & n 
to give an acc\nt ( y\r lives4 ,b t w n 
be z y suppose3 f> o!rwise4 ,= ,i say t 
!re w be m accus]s ( y ?an !re are n[2  
accus]s :om hi!rto ,i h re/ra9$3 & z !y 
are y\ng] !y w be m inconsid]ate ) y1 & 
y w be m (f5d$ at !m4 ,if y ?9k t by    
kill+ m5 y c prev5t "s "o f c5sur+ y\r  
evil lives1 y are mi/ak52 t is n a way (
 escape :i* is ei!r possible or         
hon\rable2 ! easie/ & ! noble/ way is n 
to be disabl+ o!rs1 b to be improv+     
y\rselves4 ,?is is ! prophecy :i* ,i    
utt] be=e my dep>ture to ! judges :o h  
condemn$ me4  ,fri5ds1 :o w\ld h        
acquitt$ me1 ,i w\ld l also to talk ) y 
ab\t ! ?+ :i* has come to pass1 :ile !  
magi/rates are busy1 & be=e ,i g to !   
place at :i* ,i mu/ die4 ,/ay !n a      
little1 = we may z well talk ) "o ano!r 

:ile !re is "t4 ,y are my fri5ds1 & ,i  
%\ld l to %[ y ! mean+ ( ?is ev5t :i*   
has happ5$ to me4 ,o my judges--= y ,i  
may truly call judges--,i %\ld l to tell
 y ( a wond]ful circum/ance4 ,hi!rto !  
div9e faculty ( :i* ! int]nal oracle is 
! s\rce has con/antly be5 9 ! habit (   
oppos+ me ev5 ab\t trifles1 if ,i 0 go+ 
to make a slip or error 9 any matt]2 &  
n[ z y see !re has come ^u me t :i* may 
be ?\ght1 & is g5]ally believ$ to be1 ! 
la/ & wor/ evil4 ,b ! oracle made no    
sign ( opposition1 ei!r :5 ,i 0 leav+ my
 h\se 9 ! morn+1 or :5 ,i 0 on my way to
 ! c\rt1 or :ile ,i 0 speak+1 at any?+  
:i* ,i 0 go+ to say2 & yet ,i h (t5 be5 
/opp$ 9 ! middle ( a spee*1 b n[ 9 no?+ 
,i ei!r said or did t\*+ ! matt] 9 h&   
has ! oracle oppos$ me4 ,:at d ,i take  
to be ! explanation ( ?is sil5ce8 ,i w  
tell y4 ,x is an intimation t :at has   
happ5$ to me is a good1 & t ^? ( u :o   
?9k t dea? is an evil are 9 error4 ,= ! 
cu/om>y sign w\ld surely h oppos$ me _h 
,i be5 go+ to evil & n to good4  ,let u 

reflect 9 ano!r way1 & we %all see t !re
 is great reason to hope t dea? is a    
good2 = "o ( two ?+s--ei!r dea? is a    
/ate ( no?+ness & utt] unconsci\sness1  
or1 z m5 say1 !re is a *ange & migration
 ( ! s\l f ?is _w to ano!r4 ,n[ if y    
suppose t !re is no consci\sness1 b a   
sleep l ! sleep ( him :o is undi/urb$   
ev5 by dreams1 dea? w be an unspeakable 
ga94 ,= if a p]son 7 to select ! night 9
 :i* 8 sleep 0 undi/urb$ ev5 by dreams1 
& 7 to comp>e ) ?is ! o!r days & nights 
( 8 life1 & !n 7 to tell u h[ _m days & 
nights he _h pass$ 9 ! c\rse ( 8 life   
bett] & m pleasantly ?an ?is "o1 ,i ?9k 
t any man1 ,i w n say a private man1 b  
ev5 ! great k+ w n f9d _m su* days or   
nights1 :5 comp>$ ) ! o!rs4 ,n[ if dea? 
be ( su* a nature1 ,i say t to die is   
ga92 = et]nity is !n only a s+le night4 
,b if dea? is ! j\rney to ano!r place1 &
 !re1 z m5 say1 all ! dead abide1 :at   
good1 ,o my fri5ds & judges1 c be great]
 ?an ?is8 ,if inde$ :5 ! pilgrim arrives
 9 ! _w bel[1 he is deliv]$ f !         

pr(essors ( ju/ice 9 ?is _w1 & f9ds !   
true judges :o are said to give judgm5t 
!re1 ,m9os & ,rhadaman?us & ,aeacus &   
,triptolemus1 & o!r sons ( ,god :o 7    
righte\s 9 _! own life1 t pilgrimage w  
be wor? mak+4 ,:at w\ld n a man give if 
he might conv]se ) ,orpheus & ,musaeus &
 ,hesiod & ,hom]8 ,nay1 if ?is be true1 
let me die aga9 & aga94 ,i myself1 too1 
%all h a wond]ful int]e/ 9 !re meet+ &  
conv]s+ ) ,palam$es1 & ,ajax ! son (    
,telamon1 & any o!r anci5t h]o :o has   
suff]$ dea? ?r\gh an unju/ judgm5t2 &   
!re w be no small pleasure1 z ,i ?9k1 9 
comp>+ my own suff]+s ) !irs4 ,above    
all1 ,i %all !n be able to cont9ue my   
se>* into true & false k2 z 9 ?is _w1 s 
also 9 ! next2 & ,i %all f9d out :o is  
wise1 & :o pret5ds to be wise1 & is n4  
,:at w\ld n a man give1 ,o judges1 to be
 able to exam9e ! lead] ( ! great       
,trojan exp$ition2 or ,odysseus or      
,sisyphus1 or numb]less o!rs1 m5 & wom5 
too6 ,:at inf9ite delight w\ld !re be 9 
conv]s+ ) !m & ask+ !m que/ions6 ,9     

ano!r _w !y d n put a man to dea? = ask+
 que/ions3 assur$ly n4 ,= besides be+   
happi] ?an we are1 !y w be immortal1 if 
:at is said is true4  ,:]e=e1 ,o judges1
 be ( good *e] ab\t dea?1 & "k ( a      
c]ta9ty1 t no evil c happ5 to a good    
man1 ei!r 9 life or aft] dea?4 ,he & 8  
are n neglect$ by ! gods2 nor has my own
 approa*+ end happ5$ by m]e *ance4 ,b ,i
 see cle>ly t ! "t _h arriv$ :5 x 0     
bett] = me to die & be releas$ f tr\ble2
 :]e=e ! oracle gave no sign4 ,= :i*    
reason1 also1 ,i am n angry ) my        
condemn]s1 or ) my accus]s2 !y h done me
 no h>m1 al?\gh !y did n mean to d me   
any good2 & = ?is ,i may g5tly blame !m4
  ,/ill ,i h a fav\r to ask ( !m4 ,:5 my
 sons are gr[n up1 ,i w\ld ask y1 ,o my 
fri5ds1 to puni% !m2 & ,i w\ld h y      
tr\ble !m1 z ,i h tr\bl$ y1 if !y seem  
to c>e ab\t ri*es1 or any?+1 m ?an ab\t 
virtue2 or if !y pret5d to be some?+ :5 
!y are really no?+1--!n reprove !m1 z ,i
 h reprov$ y1 = n c>+ ab\t t = :i* !y   
ought to c>e1 & ?9k+ t !y are some?+ :5 

!y are really no?+4 ,& if y d ?is1 bo?  
,i & my sons w h receiv$ ju/ice at y\r  
h&s4  ,! h\r ( dep>ture has arriv$1 & we
 g our ways--,i to die1 & y to live4    
,:i* is bett] ,god only kn[s4