The Apology by Plato
"Men of Athens, I honor and love you; but I shall obey God rather than you, and while I have life and strength I shall never cease from the practice and teaching of philosophy... Understand that I shall never alter my ways, not even if I have to die many times."
The Apology begins with Socrates facing the jury of 500 Athenian men while he faces the charges of corrupting the city's youth. Lycon, Anytus, and Meletus accused Socrates of debasing the young through his atheism, his ignorance through proclaiming he is the wisest man amongst them, his concept of death, his precedence of authority, and his rhetoric, in general. Socrates declares in his defense that philosophy begins with the admission of ignorance. Socrates later clarifies that point of philosophy when he says that whatever wisdom he possesses comes from knowing that he knows nothing.
During the trial, Socrates imitates, parodies, and corrects the Orators and his accusers and asks the jury to judge him by the truth of his statements, not by his oratorical skill. Socrates says he will not use sophisticated language but will speak using the common idiom of the Greek language. Socrates says he will talk in the manner he has used in the agora and at the money tables, which he states is his native tongue and the fashion of his country. Although offered the opportunity to appease the jury's prejudices, with a minimal concession to the charges of corruption and impiety, Socrates does not yield his integrity to avoid the death penalty. For doing so, the jury condemns Socrates to death.
Socrates demonstrates his unyielding faith in the Pantheon of the gods, the higher authority, and not to the will of the mob of protestors who desire his death. In doing so, Socrates points out several issues that men today struggle to deal with. First, the problem with an absolute system of democracy. Second, by whose authority should a man bend his knee? Finally, are a man's principles worth his life?
Socrates is condemned to death by 280 of the 220 citizens of Athens. This would mean, despite a 12 percent margin, Socrates is still sentenced to death. This is the perfect example of two wolves and a sheep asking what's for dinner!
Socrates does acknowledge the power of the government of Athens, but he believes he must bend to the higher authority before the world of men.
Socrates declares that a man who is not willing to commit to his principles, even when death is on the line, has already died before he has been committed to the grave.
Estimated Reading Time: 48 min.