NOTES ON SOCRATES THE APOLOGY

Once the death penalty has been announced, Socrates tells the jury that they have made a bad mistake, as all the Greeks will wonder why Athens put to death "that wise man". Socrates knows that they will call him this even if they do not believe it. He predicts that in the future those who voted for the death penalty will be much criticized.

Again, Socrates says that grovelling and pleading might have saved his life, but that he would rather die than be saved by dishonourable defense. He says that this would be like surrendering on the battle-field, it might save your life but it would not be right. He points out that it is far easier to escape death than to escape doing wrong. So he knows he must die but he thinks that the fate of his accusers is worse, that they will be convicted by the truth.

Socrates remains very cheerful about his fate and feels that it might indeed be a blessing. He is sure that the divine voice that has always advised him would have warned him if it were not so. He is optimistic about death and says that it must be either of two things: 1 Complete unconsiousness, like a really long night's sleep, which is a nice thing, or 2 A change to another place where we can meet the dead which would be fascinating. (He now mentions some of the dead whom he would love to meet such as Homer, Orpheus, Ajax Agamemnon, Odysseus and others). He says that as on earth, he would examine these people and find out which of them is wise and which only think that they are. He points out that at least there one could not be put to death for doing this.

Above all, Socrates advises his friends on the jury, you should always remember that nothing can really harm a good person. He does not bear a grudge against his accusers and all he asks is that when his sons grow older, that the people there should "plague them as I plagued you". He asks the jury to do just the same to his sons if they put money or anything else before goodness as he has done to the Athenians, that is to scold them and put them on the right path. He finishes off:

"Now it is time that we were going, I to die and you to live; but which of us has the happier prospect is unknown to anyone but God".