Of Courage and Righteousness – Selections from “The Apology of Socrates” by Plato (vegetarian), Part 2 of 2

“If they, when engaged in a cause far less than this, implored and besought the judges with many tears, bringing forward their children in order that they might excite their utmost compassion, and many others of their relatives and friends, whereas I do none of these things, although I may appear to be incurring the extremity of danger. For it is commonly agreed that Socrates in some respects excels the generality of men.”

“Think not then, O Athenians! that I ought to adopt such a course toward you as I neither consider honorable, nor just, nor holy, as well, by Jupiter! on any other occasion, and now especially when I am accused of impiety by this Meletus. For clearly, if I should persuade you, and by my entreaties should put a constraint on you who are bound by an oath. This, however, is far from being the case; for I believe, O Athenians! as none of my accusers do, and I leave it to you and to the deity to judge concerning me in such way as will be best both for me and for you.”

“Well. But what shall I, on my part, O Athenians! award myself? Is it not clear that it will be such as I deserve? What, then, is that? Do I deserve to suffer, or to pay a fine? for that I have purposely during my life not remained quiet, but neglecting what most men seek after, money-making, domestic concerns, military command, popular oratory, and, moreover, all the magistracies, conspiracies, and cabals that are met with in the city, thinking that I was in reality too upright a man to be safe if I took part in such things.”

“What treatment, then, do I deserve, seeing I am such a man? Some reward, O Athenians! if, at least, I am to be estimated according to my real deserts; and, moreover, such a reward as would be suitable to me. What, then, is suitable to a poor man, a benefactor, and who has need of leisure in order to give you good advice? There is nothing so suitable, O Athenians! as that such a man should be maintained in the Prytaneum. If, therefore, I must award a sentence according to my just deserts, I award this, maintenance in the Prytaneum.”