| Well, Athenians, this and the like of this
is all the defense which I have to offer.
Yet one word more. Perhaps there may
be some one who is offended at me,
when he calls to mind how he himself
on a similar, or even a less serious
occasion, prayed and entreated the
judges with many tears, and how he
produced his children in court, which
was a moving spectacle, together with
a host of relations and friends; whereas
I, who am probably in danger of my
life, will do none of these things. The
contrast may occur to his mind, and he
may be set against me, and vote in
anger because he is displeased at me
on this account. Now if there be such a
person among you, mind, I do not say
that there is, to him I may fairly reply:
My friend, I am a man, and like other
men, a creature of flesh and blood, and
not 'of wood or stone,' as Homer says;
and I have a family, yes, and sons, O
Athenians, three in number, one almost
a man, and two others who are still
young; and yet I will not bring any of
them hither in order to petition you for
an acquittal. And why not? Not from
any self-assertion or want of respect
for you. Whether I am or am not afraid
of death is another question, of which I
will not now speak. But, having regard
to public opinion, I feel that such
conduct would be discreditable to
myself, and to you, and to the whole
state. One who has reached my years,
and who has a name for wisdom, ought
not to demean himself. Whether this
opinion of me be deserved or not, at
any rate the world has decided that
Socrates is in some way superior to
other men. And if those among you
who are said to be superior in wisdom
and courage, and any other virtue,
demean themselves in this way, how
shameful is their conduct! I have seen
men of reputation, when they have
been condemned, behaving in the
strangest manner: they seemed to fancy
that they were going to suffer
something dreadful if they died, and
that they would be immortal if you only
allowed them to live; and I think that
such are a dishonor to the state, and
that any stranger coming in would have
said of them that the most eminent men
of Athens, to whom the Athenians
themselves give honor and command,
are no better than women. And I say
that these things ought not to be done
by those of us who have a reputation;
and if they are done, you ought not to
permit them; you ought rather to show
that you are far more disposed to
condemn the man who gets up a
doleful scene and makes the city
ridiculous, than him who holds his
peace. | Student name:
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