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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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wMch are always at hand to be cast upon all who philosophize , of studying the sky , and the parts under ground , and not believing in gods , and making the worse appear the better reason . They do not , I fancy , like
to say the truth , that they have been convicted of pretending to knowledge without having any . Being , however , jealous of their reputation , and being much in earnest , and many in number , and speaking with premeditation and in a plausible manner about me , they have filled your ears with false notions of me , from an early period . Of these people , Melitus , Anytus , and Lycon , aTe those who have now set upon me : Melitus to avenge the cause of the poets , Anytus that of the artificers and the politicians , Lycon that of the orators . * So that , as I said at first , I shall wonder if I am able , in so short a time , to expel from your minds a prejudice of such long standing . This , 0 Athenians , is the truth ; and I have said it , neither dissembling nor disguising any thing , great or small , although I know that to this very freespokenness I owe my enemies ; which h a sign that I speak truth , and that the causes of the prejudice against me are those I have mentioned . And if , either now or hereafter , you examine into the matter , so you will find it .
To the accusations , then , which were brought against me by my first accusers , let this be a sufficient reply . I will now attempt to reply to Melitus , the good and patriotic , as he professes himself ; and the rest . These being a new set of accusers , let us look at their charges , as we did at those of the others * * Socrates / they say , * is guilty of corrupting the youth , and not acknowledging the gods whom the state acknowledges , but other new Sai / movia ^ ( divinities , daemons , or things relating to dyehions , ) such is the charge : ^ and of this charge let us examine each
separate part . He says , then , that I am guilty of corrupting the youth . But I , O Athenians , say that Melitus is guilty of solemn trifling ; bringing men with so much levity before a criminal tribunal , and pretending to be earnestly concerned about things which he never paid the slightest attention to . That this is so , I will endeavour to prove to you * Come hither , O Melitus , a , nd answer me : You are very anxious that the young may be as good as possible ? Melitus . I am .
Soerates . Come then , tell the tribunal , who is it that makes them good ? for it is plain that you know , since you are so concerned about them . You have found who it is that corrupts them , you say , and have pointed him out and brought him hither : now point out who makes them better . Do you see , O Melitus , that you are silent and cannot tell ? Is not this shameful , and a sufficient proof that , as I say , you ha . ve never concerned yourself about the matter ? But say , my good friend , who it is that makes them better ?
M . The laws . S . That was not what I meant , O most excellent person . I asked what man ? a man who in the first place , knows the very thing you mention , the laws . * These were the three accusers of Socrates . The first was a tragic poet , the second a currier , of great wealth , and influence in public affairs , the third an orator . MeUtus , the first of the three , virus the ostensible prosecutor .
f We gi \ e this word in the original language , because , as will presently be seen , the argument turns in part upon the vagueness of its signification . There is no word of exactly similar \ aguenes » in the English language .
Untitled Article
118 Plato * a Dialogues ; the Apology of Socrates *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1835, page 118, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2642/page/38/
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