| Perhaps it may seem strange that I go
about and interfere in other people's
affairs to give this advice in private, but
do not venture to come before your
assembly and advise the state. But the
reason for this, as you have heard me
say at many times and places, is that
something divine and spiritual comes to
me, the very thing which Meletus
ridiculed in his indictment. I have had
this from my childhood; it is a sort of
voice that comes to me, and when it
comes it always holds me back from
what I am thinking of doing, but never
urges me forward. This it is which
opposes my engaging in politics. And I
think this opposition is a very good
thing; for you may be quite sure, men
of Athens, that if I had undertaken to
go into politics, I should have been put
to death long ago and should have
done no good to you or to myself.
And do not be angry with me for
speaking the truth; the fact is that no
man will save his life who nobly
opposes you or any other populace
and prevents many unjust and illegal
things from happening in the state. A
man who really fights for the right, if he
is to preserve his life for even a little
while, must be a private citizen, not a
public man. | Student name:
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