| But with those who voted for my
acquittal I should like to converse
about this which has happened, while
the authorities are busy and before I go
to the place where I must die. Wait
with me so long, my friends; for
nothing prevents our chatting with each
other while there is time. I feel that you
are my friends, and I wish to show you
the meaning of this which has now
happened to me. For, judges—and in
calling you judges I give you your right
name—a wonderful thing has happened
to me. For hitherto the customary
divine sign (daimonion) always spoke
to me very frequently and opposed me
even in very small matters, if I was
going to do anything I should not; but
now, as you yourselves see, this thing
which might be thought, and is
generally considered, the greatest of
evils has come upon me; but the divine
sign did not oppose me either when I
left my home in the morning, or when I
came here to the court, or at any point
of my speech, when I was going to say
anything; and yet on other occasions it
stopped me at many points in the midst
of a speech; but now, in this affair, it
has not opposed me in anything I was
doing or saying. What then do I
suppose is the reason? I will tell you.
This which has happened to me is
doubtless a good thing, and those of
us who think death is an evil must be
mistaken. A convincing proof of this
been given me; for the accustomed
sign would surely have opposed me if I
had not been going to meet with
something good. | Student name:
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