PartI.Socrateswantstoknowhowpeopleshouldlive, andhearsthevoiceofhissoul
SocrateswasborninAthens,Greece.ThefatherofSocrateswasaworker,a mason,andhismotherwasamidwife.Socratesoftenusedtosaythathis motherwasagrandmahelpingpeopletogivebirth,andsohedoes,onlyhe helpstogivebirthnottopeopleandbuttothoughts.ThefatherofSocrates taughthimcraftsmanship,andsenthimtoschooltolearnliteracyand sciences.InAthens,everybodywasliterateandtheyhadplentyofdifferent schools.Therewereschoolsforthepoorest,wherechildrenwerestudyingin theyardanddrawletterswithchopsticksonthesand.Therewerericher schoolwheretheystudiedtheliteracy,plotting,numeracyandrecitedpoems. Andtherewerethehighestschoolswherestudentsweretaughttoeverything thattheGreeksknewatthattime.Frombirth,Socrateswascleverandeager tolearnandhisfathersenthiminthehighestschool.Andatschool,Socrates learnedallthesciencesandreadtheessaysofallthebestGreekwriters.
Socrateshaslearnedsciencesandreturnedtohisfatherandcontinuedto workusinghiscraft,masonry.Socratesworkedwell,butoftenpondered duringhiswork.Socratesthoughtaboutthathewentthroughallsciencesand learnedallthingspeopletaught,andyethedidn’tdiscoversomethingthathe andotherpeopleneededtoknow."Need,”–Socratesthought,-“toreachan understandingofhowamanshouldlive.Andwelearnalot,butthere’sno useforusfromourstudy.Evenifwediscoverallthestarsandifwecountall thestonesinthesea,andteachthiseveryone,ourlifewouldn’tbecomebetter fromit.Allofus,people,arehustling,lookingforgood,butinfact–we’re producingevilforourselvesinsteadofgood.Andnoneofusknowswhatthe realblessingisforahuman.Forexample,Istudied,studied,butaskmehow apersonshouldlive,-andIdon'tevenknow.Andthisistheonlyonethinga manneedstoknow.TheonlyuseofmyknowledgeisthatIlearnedthatall ourteachingsarehollow.Beforemystudy,IthoughtthatIknewsomething, butnowIknowforcertainthatIdonotknowanything.Andtheonlyuseof myknowledgeisthatIknownowthatIdon’tknowanything.Theytaught meaboutgods,thattheyhavecreatedpeopleandrewardpeopleliving accordingtotheirwillandexecutethemifpeopledon'tdowhatthegods
require.Butwhatthegodswantfromusandhowtheytellustolive?"And Socratesbeganrecallingeverythingtheytaughthimaboutthegods.
Greeksbelievedinmanygods.Oneofthem,thegodofthesky,was consideredthehighest,anotheronewasconsideredthegodoftheseas;the thirdone–thegodofwinds;thefourth-thegodofthesun;thefifth-the godofwars;thesixth–thegodofamusement;theseventh-thegodofdeath. Thereweregoddesses,too:thegoddessofwisdom,thegoddessofenmity, thegoddessoffarming,thegoddessofhandcraft,andmanyothergoddesses. Itwaswrittenaboutthegodsthattheyliveinthesky,justlikepeopleon earth,andgettingmarried,andhavesex,andargue,andcheat,andfight. TheytaughtaboutthehighestgodZeusthathewasmightyanddreadful;he gaveluckineverythingtothosewhowaspleasinghim,andsentthelightning andkilledthosewhohewasangryat.Andthat’showZeuswasportrayedin thestonytemple,asabighealthyoldmanwithalightninginhishand.And
Zeusstartedhisreigninheavenafterhethrewhisownfathertohell.Socrates rememberedthis,andrememberedwhattheytaughthimaboutZeus,howhe quarreledwithhiswifeandliedtoher,howhewasdrunkfromaheavenly drinkandhowothergodsandevenpeoplecheatedhim.AndSocrates realizedthateveniftherewassuchZeus,thenZeusdidn’tnotknowhowwe shouldlive,andtherewasnothingtotakefromhim.Thesecondin importanceafterZeuswasthegoddessAthena-inherhonorthecitywas named.Therewassuchabigdollcarvedinstoneandplacedonthemain square.Therewasabighelmetonherhead,andagoldspearinherhand. Theytaughtaboutthisgoddessthatshegavepeoplewisdom.AndSocrates begantorecalleverythingthatwastaughtabouther.Andalso,after reviewingthecase,hesawthattherewasnothingtolearnfromthisgoddess, either.Accordingtothelegends,Athenawasslyandcruel,helpedher favoritesandharmedotherswithoutremorse.Andtheytaughtthatonce AthenalearnedthataGreekgirlspinswoolandweavesnotworsethanher, shegotangryatthegirl,andturnedherintoaspider,andmadeherspinwool foracentury.Theyalsotaughtabouttheothergodsdoingthesamebad deeds.Thegodswerecalledgods,buttheirdeedswerehuman,andoftenbad. AndSocratesthought:“No!Thesegodsarenotreal,andyoucan’tlearnfrom themhowapersonshouldlive.Thesegodsareasweakaswe,thepeople, are;theydonotactbasedontruththemselves,sowecan’tlearnfromthem
howtodiscerngoodfromevil.ButtherealGodmustberighteousandteach apersonhowtolive".AndSocratesbegantoseeksuchGod.Socrates sufferedformorethanayearortwo,andhisthoughtsdidn’tlethimrestfor daysandnights.Aftersometime,thatwhathewaslookingforcameto Socrates.HerecognizedtheGodhewassearchingforandwhomtheGreeks didnotknow.AndhefoundGodnotsomewhere,butinhisownconscience. WhenSocrateswaslookingfortherighteousGod,thatwhatwashappening tohim,notjustonceortwicebutdailyandnightly,wasthatwhenSocrates contemplatesandwantstoactinoneoranotherway,suddenlyhehearsa voiceinhismind.Ifthisisagooddead,thevoicesays:"Doit,Socrates";and it’sbad,avoicesays:"Don’tdoit,Socrates."AndSocratesgotusedto listeningtothatvoice.AndthevoicespoketoSocratesmoreandmore.And everythingittoldSocrateswastrue.AndSocratesthought:"Ifwhatthevoice tellsmeisrighteous,whoistellingmethis?Notmyself,butsomeoneelsewhoisthat?Thisvoicealwaystellsthetruth.Itteachesmehowtolive righteously,andbecauseofthatIknowthatthisvoiceisofGod".And SocratesbegantocallthisvoiceGod.AndthevoiceopenedtoSocratesthat whathewantedtoknow-howpeopleneedtolive.AndwhenSocrates understoodtheGod,hesawthateverypersoncanknowthisGodand,like him,canlearnfromthisGodhowtheyneedtolive.AndSocratestoldto himself,"Thisisagreatdeal;andasIfoundthetruthandgoodness,Ineedto teachthistoothers,sothattheywillbehappy,too."WhenSocratesreached thisunderstanding,hisfatherhasalreadydied,andhehimselfwasmarried andhadchildren.WhenhetoldhiswifewhatthevoiceofGodrevealedto him,shedidn'tbelievehim.Whenhetoldherthathewilltellthistoalland willteacheveryonethis,shestartedtodissuadehimfromit."Don'tdothis,” shesaid.“You’llloseyourbusiness,andifstartteachingpeople-willonly getintotrouble,andit’llbebadformeandforchildren.Leavetheseideasof yours,there’reenoughteacherswithoutyou."ButSocratesdidn’tlistentohis wife.Hesawthatpeoplearoundhimareindistressandsufferfromnot knowinghowtolive,andthatifheknowsthat,hecan’tconcealitinhimself. That’swhatthevoiceofGodwastellinghim.
Inthemostancienttimes,beforeSocrates,theGreekslivedwell.TheEarth theyhadwaswarmandfertile.Allofthemworkedthemselves:plowed, sowed,plantedgardens,keptbeesandcattle.Thereweren’ttherichandthe
poor,mastersandslaves,buttheyalllivedinequality.ButlatertheGreeks begantofight,begantooffendtheirneighbors.Atwars,theycapturedgoods, andgold,andsilver,andallsortsofthings,andcattle,andpeopleweretaken prisonersandheldinslavery.TheGreeksgrewrichfromwar,andtheirlives startedtodeteriorate.Whowasbraver,wentintothemilitary.Thesmarter onesgotintooffice,management.Thesneakyonesgotengagedin commerce.AndtheGreeksleftdirtyworkbehind,andnoneofthemworked. InAthens’landduringthetimesofSocrates,thereweremoreslavesthan masters:ahundredthousandmastersandthreehundredfiftythousandslaves. Allworkwasdonebyslaves,sothattheGreeks-aristocratsconsideredit shamefultoengageinanymanuallabor.Alltheirbusinesswasabouthow, throughtrade,orwar,orthroughmanagement,tomakemoremoneyandto buyforthemselvesstrongandskilledslavesandslavessesandtolivein enjoyment.Andthat’showtheGreekslivedandcompletelyspoiled themselves,andnoneofthemquestionedhowtolivetruthfully,tohelpa brother,tofeelsorryforaslaveandserveanother,buteverybodythought onlyabouthowtobendtheotheroneandtoridehim.AndSocratessawthat peoplegotlostandweredestroyingthemselves,andhewenttothemain squareandtoldthemwhathisvoicetoldhim,-thattheirlifeisbadandthat theyshouldlivenotlikethat.
PartII.Howneedtolive?
Onthesquare,Socratesmetayoungman,richaristocrat,namedAriston. Aristonwasnotstupidandnotamaliciousman,butlivedlikeallrichGreeks –didn’tdoanywork,andlivedonlyforhisownpleasure.Socratesmethim onceandstartedtalkingwithhim.Peoplecameoverandbegantolisten.And Socratessays:"Hello,Ariston!HowcomeIdidn’tseeyouforlongtime?
Youmustbebusywithsomework,anddidn’thavetimeloafingaround,like us?-No,-hesaid,-Iamnotbusywithanywork.AndwhywouldIwork?
There’snoworkandnoreason.I’mgoodwithoutit.Asyouknow,I'mnot somepoormanbutwealthy,thankstogods!Whatisthenecessitytoworkor rusharound?Ifthey’dchoosemeintosomemanagement,Iwouldgo,outof honor.I’mnotsureevenaboutthat.Tocarryanydutyisstillatrouble.
Whetherwantitordon’t-havetogo,listen,talk,andwrite.Allthisisan excessiveannoyance.AndwhywouldIconfinemyself?Ihavethemoney, slaves,andeverythingI’llwish,I’llget.Mylifeisfun,whatelsedoIneed?–
That’struethatyoudon’thaveanybondage,-Socratessaid,-butwillitbe goodifyou’dlivethatwayyourwholelife?-Andwhat’swrongwiththat?
What’sbetterthantolivethewholelifeinpleasures?–Yes,wouldthatbe good?-Socratessaid.-Notallgoodthatseemstobegood.Haveyouheard ofHercules?-WhodoesnotknowaboutHercules,whatanathletehewas andhowmuchhe’sdoneandwhatfameheearned,-Aristonsaid.-Well,and haveyouheardhowhehaschosenthepathoflife?-Socratesasked.–I didn’thearaboutthat.–Ifyoudidn’thear,soI'lltellyou,-saidSocrates.–ShouldItellyou?-Tell,Socrates,-saidothers.AndSocratestold:-Yousee: whenHerculesgrewup,hethoughtaboutwhatkindoflifeheshouldchoose. Sohewentforawalkandthoughttohimself:whatshouldIdoandhowto live?Andsohewalked,walked,andcameinafarfieldandsees:from nowhere,intheopenfield,twowomenarecomingtowardhim.Herculeswas surprisedandwenttowardthemhimself.Andhesees:oneofthemisnotbig norsmall,neitherfatnorthin,neitherwell-dressednoruntidy,butsimpleand inconspicuous,goesinasteadypace,quietly,notrushing.Andanotheroneis tall,chubby,inalushdress,withawhite-and-rougepowderedface.The inconspicuouswomanwasnotlookingaround.Thewell-dressedwoman
quivered,dolledherselfupandlookedbackallthetime,watchedhershadow. WhentheyapproachedtheHercules,thewell-dressedjumpedupandran forwardtohim.-Iknow,-shesaid,-thatyouarewonderingaboutyourlife: whatkindoflifetochoose,andbywhichroadtogo?SoIcameouttoshow youthebestway,whichismine.Comewithme,andeverythingwillbeeasy andfunforyou.Youwillhavenowork,noworries,nosorrows.Youwon’t knowanysadness,andfunonmyroadwillneverstop,-fromonepleasure you’llbemovingtoanother,andtheonlycareyou’llhavewillbetochoose: whatsweetdishissweeter,whatwineistastier,whatkindofbedissofter andwhatfunisfunnier.Andtheonlyworkyou’llhavetodowillbetoorder what’llcomeintoyourhead.Everythingyou’llorder,otherswilldo.
Herculesthoughtthatthepromiseofthechubbywomenwasattractive,and torememberher,heaskedhername.-MynameisPresentHappiness,-the womansaid.-Onlythehaters,outofanger,callmeLuxury.That’showthey teaseme.ButmynameisHappiness.
Theinconspicuouswomanstoodquietlywhenthewell-dressedwoman spoke;butwhenthefirstonefinished,theinconspicuousalsobegantalking andsaid:-Firstofall,Iwilltellyoumyname;theycallmeRighteousness, andIdon’thaveanyothernames.Iwon'tlureyouwithattractionslike anotherwoman,butI'lltellyoustraightwhattheblessingisforeveryhuman being.Youwillseethatonlywithmeyou’llfindthatblessing.Because,as youknow,inorderforlandtoproduceaharvest,youhavetoworkonit;if youwanttohavebeef,youhavetolookafterthecattle;tobuildagood house,needtomovestones;forpeopletorespectyou,needtoworkfortheir sake;forgodstoloveyou,needtodotheirwill.Andtheirwillissothatyou, withyourworks,payofftheworksofothers.Iwillleadyoubythisroad,and onlythere,onthisroad,istheblessing.
TheInconspicuouswomandidn’tfinishtalkingwhenthewell-dressedone jumpedin.-Yousee,-shesaid,-Hercules,whatahardwayshewantsto swayyouto.Works,works,andonlyworksshepromisestoyou.Willyou haveapleasure,ornot?wouldn'titbebettertogowithme?Withme,there won’tbeanywork,andit’llbeallsweetnessfromthebeginning.Youwill sweetlyeat,tastydrink,softlysleep.Comewithme,-saidthewell-dressed womanandwantedtotakeHerculesbyhishand.-Whoa,-theinconspicuous
said.–You’resaying:tosweetlyeatanddrink;andyouthinkthatit’sgood, butyoudon’tevenknowhowtodothat.Becauseyoueatanddrinknotwhen it’stime,notwhenyou’rethirstyorhungry,butwhenyou’rebored.Andthe rarestdishesandexpensivewinesdon’tmakeyouhappy.Youpromisedthat he’llsleepsweetly,butyouevendon’tknowhowtosleep;tofallasleep,you putsoftduvets,pillowsunderyourself,butevenonthemyouarenotunable tofallasleep,becauseyougotosleepoutofboredom.Onefallsasleepwell onlyafterwork,andyouhavenothingtorestfrom.Iknowyou,andIknow thoseunfortunateonesyou’veruinedbyyourtemptationsofidleandsweet life.Don’tyouhaveenoughofthosewhocryovertheirrecklesslywasted youngyearswithyou?Becauseofthat,allhonestpeoplepushyouawayand callyouLuxuryandDebauchery.Ihavenotdeceivedanyoneofthosewho followedme.Allthosewhowentaftermefromtheiryouth,theyallgot strongerinbodyandsoul,theyallhavefoundonmywaymorehappiness thansorrow,andgainedrespectandloveofothers,andallofthemhappily remembertheirworkinglivesandarepeacefullywaitingfordeath.Others grumbleatyou,butnobodyeverscoldedmeforcheating,andeverybody honorsmeandcallsmeonename-Righteousness.ThatisthekindoflifeI callyoufor,Hercules!
Herculesdidn’thesitateanylongerandwentaftertheRighteousness.He followedRighteousnessinhislife,workedforpeople,andpleasedboth peopleandgods,andfoundhisblessing.
SocratesfinishedandtoldAriston:-Andsoyou,Ariston,think,whoofthese twoyoushouldgowith–withLuxuryorwithRighteousness.Decide,while there'sstilltime,sothatwhenyou’reoldyouwon’tfeelsorryaboutyour foolishnessandwon’tdieafterpleasingneitheryourself,norpeople,nor God.
PartIII.Howtomanagepeople?
OnceSocratesheardthatarichman,calledGlaucon,seekstobearuler. Socratesknewhim,knewthathewasaninexperiencedandcarelessman,and Socrateswantedtoexposehim.Socratesmethimonceonthecitysquare. Glauconstoodinthemidstofthepeople,andthepeoplerespectfullytalked withhim.Everyonewaswaitingforhimtobecometheruler,sothatthen everyonewouldbenefitfromhim.Glauconwaitedforhiselection,andwas fullofprideinfrontofpeople.Socratesapproached.-Hello,Glaucon!He said.-Iheardthatyou’regoingtobecomeourruler.-Yes,Ihopeso,repliedGlaucon.-Well,that’sgood.Whenyougetthisposition,you’llhave alotinyourpower:youcandoalotofgoodforpeople.Andyourglorywill gofar.–Yes,whynot?-Glauconsaid.-Whywouldn’tIbecomeagood ruler?-Agoodruler,-Socratessaid,-andgoodfamecomesafterthatwho hasdonealotofgoodforhispeople.Isn'tit?-Ofcourse,-repliedGlaucon.Sopleasedonothideanything,tellus:whatgoodareyouplanningtodoto thenation,andwhatareyougoingtobeginfrom?Glauconhesitatedand respondednotimmediately.Hehasnotfiguredoutwheretostart.Whilehe wasthinking,Socratessaid:-Howcomeyouponder,isn’titeasytoseewhat doesthenationgood.Becausethenationisthesamehumans,likeweall.If youwishedtodogoodforyourfriend,wouldn’tyoufirstofalltriedtogrow hiswealth?-Ofcourse,-Glauconreplied.-Well,afterallitisthesamewith thenation,-saidSocrates.–Todogoodforthenation-meanstomakeall richer.Isn'tit?-Howcan’titbetrue,-saidGlaucon.-Well,andhowto maketheentirenationricher?-Socratesasked.-Ithinkthatanationshould havemoreincomeandlessexpenses.Shouldn’tit?–Yes,Ithink,-answered Glaucon.-Tellme,Glaucon,wherethenationalincomecomingfromand howmuchisitnow?Youmust’veknownallofthis.-No,Idonotknow,saidGlaucon,-Ihadn'tthoughtaboutthatyet.-Well,youhaven'tthought aboutthis,-saidSocrates,butyousurelythoughthowmuchexpenditureis necessaryfortheneeds.Andifcurrentcostsareexcessive,you'vesurely figuredouthowtoreducethem.-No,-saidGlaucon-Ican'tanswerthis, either.Ihaven'tthoughtaboutitaswell.–Youhaven’tnotthoughtofityet, either.-Socratesrepeated.-Well,you’llcatchupwiththis.Youmust’ve
thoughtabouthowyouwouldenrichthenation?Whathaveyouthought aboutthis?Withwhat,doyouthink,youcanmakethenationwealthier?–I thinkthebestwaytomakethenationricher,-Glauconsaid,-iswar. Conquerotherpeoplesandtakeeverythingfromthemandsharethewealth.That'sright,-saidSocrates,-thiswouldbetheshortestwaytomakepeople rich,onlytherearecaseswhenonenotonlydonotconquerforeignpeople, butalsowastepeopleandmoneyforwarinvain,andthenthenationwill becomenotricher,butpoorer.–That’strue,-Glauconsaid,-butyouneedto startwaronlywhenyouknowforsurethatyou’llwin,andnotyou’llbewon over.-Meaningtogotowar,youhavetoknowtherealpowerofyourpeople andthepowerofyourenemy?-Socratessaid.-Ofcourse,youneedtoknow that.-saidGlaucon.-Sotellme,Glaucon,howmuchmilitaryforcesdowe havereadyforwarandwhatforcestheenemyhaswithwhomyouwantto fight?-Ican'tsaythatforcertain,-saidGlaucon,-onecan’trememberthis bymemory.-Soyoumusthaverecords,fetchthem,please,we’llread, count,-Socratessaid.-No,Idon’thavenotes,-Glauconsaid,-andthe enemytroopscannotbecounted.–Whatapity,-saidSocrates,becauseif youcan'tcounttheenemy,youcannotknowupfrontwhetherwewillwinor willbewonover,sothismeansthatyourwaytoenrichthepeopleisnotvery reliable.Willyouenrichthemornot-isunknown;youwilllikelyruinmany people,andinsteadofmakingthemwealthyyou’llmakethempoor.Sowe willleaveit,andtellusaboutonemore,-saidSocrates.-Tellus,Glaucon, howmuchbreadisneedtofeedtheentirenation?Whatharvestdidwehave thisyear,andwillweallhaveenoughbreadbeforethenewharvest?You must’veconsideredthis?-No,Ihaven'tinquiredofityet.-Glaucon answered.Glauconshutupandeverybodywentsilent.ThenGlauconsaid:Youaresoscrupulous,Socrates,andifittakessomucheffortstothinkabout everything,andcountasyouask,thenit’dbetoodifficulttogovernthe people.-Andyouthought–it’seasy?-Socratessaid.–I’llaskyouthelast question:I'veheardyoustartedhelpingyourunclewithhousekeepingand thenquit.Whydidthathappen?-Itwasdifficultforme,-repliedGlaucon,andthepropertywasbig,anduncledidn’tlistentome.-Yousee,you couldn’tmanagewithahouse,butgoingtoruletheentirenation.Anyonecan startanybusiness,yetit’llbecomeasuccessonlyforthatonewho understandsit.Makesureyoudon’tgetintotroubleinsteadofgloryand honor.Firstofall,golearneverythingaboutthatwhatIaskedyouabout,and
onlythenthinkabouttheruling.GlauconsilentlydepartedfromSocratesand quitseekingthepositionoftheruler.
PartIV.WhoIsBetter-SlaveorMaster?
OnceithappenedthathisneighborAristarchuscametoSocratesandbegan complainingabouthistrouble.–Can’tgetmyheadaroundwhattodo.Iwas rich,-hesaid,-traded,thenmycommercedidn’tworkout-bankrupted. Andthenthewarmademattersworse,myrelativeswerekilled,hadtotake theirwidowsandorphanstomyhouse.AndIhavenowgatheredfourteen soulsinmyhome.HowamIgoingtofeedthemall!Troubletotrouble,andI don'tknowwhattodo.–Ifeelsorryforyou,myfriend,-saidSocrates.Howdoyouthinktohelpit?–Wantedtoborrowmoneytostartcommerce again,butnobodylendsbecausetheyknowthatthingsarebad.Socrates shookhisheadandsaid:-Itiswhatitis,needtofeedthefourteensouls,need tosupply;butyourneighborhasmorethantwentysouls,andallofthemare fed.Theyevenmakemoney,-saidSocrates.–Whatyou’vecompared!Aristarchussaid.–Myneighborisalone,andhehasnineteensoulsofslaves; slaveswillproducemorethanwilleat.ButIhavefourteensoulsoffree Greeks.–AndhowdofreeGreeksdifferfromslaves?Aren’ttheybetterthen slaves?-Certainlybetter,theseare-freeGreeks,andthosearetheslaves.Inwordsitsoundslikethefreearebetter,-saidSocrates,-butinrealityit’s notlikethat;you’resayingit’sallwellwithyourneighborbecausehehas slaves,andit’sbadwithyoubecauseyou’vegotnotslavesbutfreeGreeks.It looksliketheslavesareabletoworkandthefreearenot.-Andminecould workifsomebodywouldmakethem,-saidAristarchus,-butIcan’tmake themwork!Afterall,theyarefromanoblefamilyandrelativestome,how canImakethemwork?They’llgetoffended,willstartaccusations, discontent,Ican’tletthathappen.
Well,andhowaboutnow,doyounothaveaccusations,discontent?Socratesasked.–Doyouallliveinagreement?-Whatagreement!answeredAristarchus.–Ihearonlyreproachesandquarrels.–So,that’swhat itis,-Socratessaid,-evenwithoutwork,youdon’thaveanagreementand havenothingtoeat.Becausethenobilityofyourrelativesdoesn’tfeedthem anddoesn’tgiveconsent.Sowhydon’tyoudothis:whynotgivethemwork theycanbear?Wouldn'titbebetteriftheystartedtowork?-Iwouldarrange
that,-saidAristarchus,-buttheywillnotlikethat.Andpeopleinthecity willprobablyblameme.-Anddotheynotblameyounow?-Socratesasked. -Evennow,therearekindpeoplewhoblamemeforthepoverty;blame,but don’tlendmemoneytogetbetter.-Exactly!-Socratessaid.–Youcan’t listentoallthegossips;buttry,getthemtowork,maybethingswillget better.AndAristarchusdidasSocratesaretold.Inhalfayear,Socratesmet Aristarchusagainandaskedhowhelives.AndAristarchussays:-Ilivewell andthankyouallthetime.Ilistenedtoyouthattimeandnowmybusiness hasrecovered.Onemanlendmesomewool,myfamilyspunthiswool, wovencloth,thensewedmaleandfemaledressesforsale.Sold–andnot onlyreturnedthemoneyforthewool,butalsomadeprofit.Sincethen,this becameourbusiness,andweareallfed,andhavenoquarrels,andhave enoughmoney.-Andwhatarepeoplesaying?-Socratesasked.-Oh,and peopledonotblame,-answeredAristarchusandlaughed.
OnceSocratessawayoungaristocratlyingonthecitysquareandfanning fromtheheat.-Whatareyousoexhaustedfrom?-Socratesaskedhim.Hownottobeexhausted,Iwentfromthevillagetenmilesonfoot.–Well, andwhyareyousoexhausted?Didyoucarryanythingheavy?-Theyoung mangotoffended.-WhywouldIcarry?Ihaveaslaveforthat;hecarried thatwhatwaswithme.-Andwhatabouthim,isheexhaustedornot?–What canhappentohim!Heishealthy,walkedalltheway,sungsongsevenwith thatburden.–I’msorryforyou,-saidSocrates,itappearsthatyourslavecan serveyouandhimself,andyoucanserveneitherotherpeople,noreven yourself. ***
AnothertimeSocratessawoneownerbeathisslavewithawhip.-Forwhat areyouhittinghimsopainfully?-Socratesasked.–Hownottobeathim,answeredtheowner,-he'saglutton,abummer,andonlythinksofsleeping, tohavingfun,andeatingsweeter.Forhim,evenahundredlashesistoolittle! -Socratescalledtheslaveownerasideandsaid:-Well,andwhatdoyou dreamof,ratherthantosleepsofter,toeatsweeter,andtohavefun?-The
***
slaveownerdidnotanswer.–Andifyouthinkofthatyourself,howmany lashesshouldyoureceiveforthesameforwhatyoupunishtheslave?Isn’t thatyouwhoseexamplehefollows?Theownergotoffendedandwalked awayfromSocrates.
PartV.Howtoliveinafamily
WhenSocratesbeganbreakingawayfromhisstonework,inordertogoto thecitysquaretoteachpeople,hiswifegotupset,thoughtthey’lllosealot; butwhenmanypeoplestartedtogatheraroundSocrates,shegotrelievedand thought,"Peoplepaywellforteachings,teachersliveinprosperity;andthat’s howwe'lllive".ButSocratesdidn’tthinkthatway.Hethought:"Ican'ttake paymentformyteaching-IteachwhatthevoiceofGodtells,teach righteousness.HowcanItakemoneyforit?"Andalthoughalotofpeople gatheredtolistentoSocrates,hedidnottakemoneyfromanybody.Andto supporthisfamily,heearnedsomewithhiscraftsmanship:onlysufficefor thenecessities.ThewifeofSocratesconsideredthislifepooranddifficult andembarrassing.Sheoftengrumbledaboutherhusbandnottakingmoney forhisteaching.Sometimesshewenttotearsandaccusationsandscolding. ThewifeofSocrates–hernamewasXanthippe-wasawomanwithafiery temper.Whenangry,sherantedandthrownallthatcameathand.The childrenwereobjectsofhertemperbutmostofall–Socrateshimself.Buthe didnotgetangryandeitherkeptsilence,orpersuadedher.Onceshescolded, scolded,butSocratesstayedsilent;andshegotannoyedbythatand,outof anger,pouredabucketofslopsoverhim.-Well,that’swhatitis,-said Socrates,-Firstitthundered,andthenitrainedafterthethunder.Andhe begantowipehimselfout.That’showSocratesactedandtaughthissonsto dothesame.
Onedayhiseldestsonwasrudetohismother.AndSocratessaid:-Whatdo youthink,-hesaystohisson,-aboutthosepeoplewhodonotremember kindness?Arethesegoodpeople?-Ifpeopledonotwanttoreturngoodfor thosewhodidthemgood-Ithink,theyarethecrappiestpeople,and everyonethinksthat.–Fairenough,-saidSocrates.–Now,tellmeifone personcarriesanother,whenthatonehasnostrength,fromplacetoplace, feeds,dresses,putstosleep,awakes,takescareofhimwhenheissick,gets illnessfromhim,endureshisangerwithlove.What,didsuchpersondoany good?–Didalotofgood,-sonsaid.-So,thisisthesame,andevenmore thanthatyourmotherdidforyou.Shecarried,andfed,anddidn’tsleep
nights,anddidnotknowwhethershewouldgetanythingfromyou-thanks orhelp.Andwhatdoyoupaybacktoher,doyouhonorherasagratefulman should?Songotembarrassedbutdidnotwanttosubmitandstartedexcuses: -Iwouldhonorherifshewasdifferent,butthisoneshouts,offendsmefor nothing.SoIcouldn’tendure.–Whataboutyou,whenyouwerelittle,did youalwaysscreamforareason?Butshetoleratedthat,andlovedyou,and caredforyou.That’sexactlywhatyouneedtodo,also,-saidSocrates.
PartVI.WhySocratesneededneitherexpensivefood norrichclothes
OnetimeateachercametoSocrates,lookedathislifeandsaid:-So,nowI sawyourlife,Socrates;youeatverycoarsefood,wearthesimplestclothes andwithoutchanges,thesameinsummerandwinter;andyoudon’teven haveshoesatall.Whatyourwisdomisforifyourlifeisdifficult?-Haveyou heardmecomplaining?-Socratesasked.-No,Ihaven’theard;youdonot complain.Yet,yourlifeisunpleasant.Youdon’thavetastyfoodanddrinks, andyoudon'tknowfun.-No,-saidSocrates,-nobodyeatsordrinkswith suchpleasure.Anddoyouwanttoknowwhy?I'lltellyounow.Youyourself knowthatthesimplestfoodtastesbetterthanthemostexpensive,when you’rehungry;so,that’swhatI'mdoing,Idon'teatuntilI’mhungry,don't drinkuntilI’mthirsty,sowhywouldIneedtheexpensivefoodanddrinks for?Tome,thesimpleistastierthantheexpensive.Andinregardstoclothes I’lltellyouthatIdon'tneedanyother.Youknow,peoplehavetwooutfits, oneforthewinter,anotherforthesummerbecauseinthesummerthey’rehot inthewinterclothes,butinthewinter-coldinthesummerclothes.Well,I acclimatedmybodyinaway,-saidSocrates,-thatIdon’tgethotin summer,norcoldinwinter.And,intheheatorinthecold,IgowhereI shouldbe.SowhyshouldIgetotherclothing?–Let’sassumeyoutrained yourselfthatway,-theteachersaid,-butwhyotherpeoplewouldlivehow youlive?Socratessaidtohim:-Hearmewhy.Let’ssayapersoninneed comestomeandtoyouandsays:helpme.Whoofusismoreeagertohelp him-youorme?You’llthink:I’dbegladtohelp,yetIneedalotformyself. I’dgivetohim–butI’llbeinneed.Iwouldhelphimwithhiswork–but feelsorryformytime,you’dthink:duringthistimeI’dearnsomuchfor myself.Butforme–it’salldifferent.Iamalwayswillingtohelpanother, becauseIneedlittleformyself.AndIdon’tregretmytimebecauseIdon’t takemoneyforit:Iteachforfree.–Thisistrue,-saidtheteacher.–Or, here'sanotherexample,-saidSocrates,-assumeadifficulttimecameforthe nation,needtoservethesociety.Youthink:Ihopetheywon’tchooseme becausethenI’llloseinmybusiness.Butnothingholdsme,I'llgladlygoto serve.–Thetruthisyours,-saidtheteacher,-andyetIwouldhaverather
agreetodiethantolivelikeyou.Wonderthatyoufindsomanypeople wishingtolistentoyou.–Yes,manylistentome,butjustfewimplement,Socratessaid.–Somelisten-listen,andgobacktothesamelife.Andyet, therearethosewhostayandliveasIadvise,andjustlikeIdo,theydon’t complainandtellthattheybecamehappierthanbefore.Weknowyour happiness,becausewecamefromittoours,butyoudon’tknowoursbecause youhavenotexperiencedit.
AndteacherwentbackfromSocratesandreasonedwithhimself:"What shouldIthinkaboutSocratesnow?Manyconsiderhimahalf-wittedoddball, condemnhim,laughathim,butitseemstomenowthathe'sagood,fair man."
PartVII.Aboutthebrotherlylife
OnceSocrateslearnedthatonerichmerchantseparatedfromhisbrother.He metthemerchantandbegantellinghim:Iwonderaboutyou,-hesays,-you areasmartman,economical,trytoearnmore,hireclerks,lookforpartners inyourbusiness,butseparatedfromyourbrother.Isittoobadtolivewitha brotherinharmony?–It’sgoodtolivewithabrother,-answeredthe merchant,-onlywithwhatkindofbrother?Mybrotherisgoodwithothers, butIdidn’tseeanythinggoodfromhimtomyself.–Butmaybeyouyourself treatinghimbadly?-Socratesasked.-Iamcapabletospeaksoftlywith somebodywhoisfriendlytome,andwilldogoodforthatonewhoiskindto me;buttobekindtosomeonewho,inwordsandindeeds,triestocause troublesforme,thatIcan’tandI’mnotplanningto,-themerchantanswered withbitterness.-Tellme,-Socratessaid,-howwouldyoudealwithamanif youwantedtobefriendswithhim?–HowwouldIdeal?,-themerchantsaid. -Aseverybodydoes–Iwoulddohimsomethingnice:wouldinvitehimto myhome,treatwitheverythingIhave,wouldhelphiminanycase,would givehimmoneyifheneededit.-Sodothesametoyourbrother,andyou’ll seethathe’llchangetoyou.–IfI’llbefirsttobowtohim,he,perhaps,will turnaway.I’llonlyfeelashamedinfrontofpeople.–It’snevershamefulto dogood,-Socratessaid,-andgoodpeoplewon’tlaughatit.Andevenif yourbrotherwon’tlivewithyoubrotherly,thenyouwillknowthatit’sonly yourbrothertoblame.Butthiswon’tevenhappen,-saidSocrates.-Youjust dothis.Iknowhowfriendlyyourbrothercanlivewithpeople.Startanew brotherlylifeandbehappy,becauseyou’llliveasGodinstructed.
-Twobrothers,-saidSocrates,areliketwoeyes,twohands,twolegs.Hands areintendedbyGodtosupporteachother,justlikeabrothertoabrother. Whatwouldhappenifonehandstartedinterferingwithanother?Asyou know,handsdon’tinterferebuthelpeachother.That’swhytheyarehands. Andthustheybenefitfromeachother.Andthere’smuchmorebenefitfroma brothertoabrotherthanfromahandtoahand,aneyetoaneye,afoottoa foot:handsandfeetcanonlyhelpeachotherwithincloseproximity,buta brotherhelpsabrotherevenwhenoneisontheothersideoftheworld.Both
eyescanseetogetheronlyinonedirection,butabrotherismostusefultoa brotherwherehecan’tseemuchwithhisowneyes.Godinstructedtolive brotherlywithallpeople,andwhodoesn’tlivewithhisbrotherbrotherly,he failstofulfilltheGod’slaw.
AmongthosewhocametolistentotheteachingsofSocrateswerenotonly theresidentsofAthens,butalsopeoplefromothercitiesandevenfrom foreignlands.TheycametolistentoSocrateseithertohishome,orwaited forhimtocometothecitysquareandsurroundedhimthere.
OnetimemanypeoplegatheredaroundSocrates,oldandyoung,theirown townsfolkandpeoplefromtheotherlands.Socratesdidnotliketospeak lengthyhimself,butalwaysaskedothers.Heusedtotellthat,justlikehis motherherselfdidnotgivebirthbutonlyhelpedotherstogivebirth,soashe doesn’tteachothersbutonlyhelpsotherstolearnthemselves.Andthat’s howitwasthistime.Socratessatonthebench,andpeoplearoundhim.
Socratesputhishandsonhisknees,loweredhisheadandthoughtfora moment.Everybodywaitedforwhathe’llask.Socratesraisedhisheadsays:
-Tellmethis:whypeoplelivetogether,andnotalone?Look,nowthereis disagreement,animositybetweenpeople,butifeachpersonlivedbyhimself, therewouldn’tbeanybodytoconflictwith.Perhapsitwouldbebetter.And theyallbegantotalk.Onesaid:peoplelivetogether,hesaid,becauseit’s moreprofitabletogether.It’shardtoworkalone.Youcandomoretogether. Anotheronesaid:it’dbescarytolivealone,difficulttodefendyourself.The thirdonesaid:it’sboringtolivealone,here’smorefunwithpeople.The fourthonesaid:evenGodhasmadeamantolivenotalone,butwithpeople.
-True,Socratessaid.-Buthowismorebeneficialtolive–inpeaceorin enmity?-Ofcourse,inpeace–theyallanswered.That’swhatyouthink,and Godsoordered,andyetitwithusit’snotlikethat.Whyisthisso?
Everybodywentquietanddidn'tknowwhattoanswer.Socratesspokeagain: -Idon'tevenknowmyself–wonderifwe’llgetsomewheretogether.Letme askyouagain,andyouanswer.Firstofall,tell:fromwhomapersonbenefits more,fromaslave-hireling,orfromapal-friend?–It’swellknown,froma pal-friend,-allanswered.–Aslave-hirelingthinksabouthisowngain,not abouttheowner’sworth,-saidone,–butapal-friendcaresofyou,asof himself.–Aslave-hirelingiswithyouonlywhileyouhavemoney,orbefore it’sdepleted,butoncemoneyisdepletedoryouhavenothingtopaywith,
PartVIII.Howpeopleshouldlivetogether
you’llbealone,-saidanother.–Also,whyapal-friendisdearisbecausehe won’tleaveyouintimeoftrouble,andwillsharethelastthingwithyou,saidthethird.-Withagoodfriend,youwillbecomebetteryourself,-said thefourth.-Soyouareallagree,-saidSocrates,-thatapal-friendisadearer thanaslave-hireling;andthatpersonisrich,andpowerful,andhappy,and delighted,andpeaceful–notwhohasalotofhirelings,butwhohasalotof friends.Youmustallhavemorefriendsthanslaves,don’tyou?-Itwouldbe good,butit’snotwhathappens,-saidone.-Ifyouaskus,howmany enemieseachofushas,wecancountthemrightaway,-saidanother,-and we’llcountnotasmallnumberofslavesandhirelings;butsomeofwill counttwo,orone,faithfulpal-friends,atbest.-Whyisthisso?-Socrates asked.–Yousayyourselfthatapal-friendisthefirstthing,butyoudon’t makefriends.Ifweknowthatthebullsareusefulforus,wegetthemalot. Whydon'tyoumakefriends,ifyouknowthattheygivehelp,andjoy,and supportintroubles?–That’sbecause,-onesaid,-therearemanygoodbulls butfewgoodpeople.Whenyouneedabulltoplow,you’llchoosethegood oneandbuy;butwhenyouneedafriend,wheretofindthegoodone?There alotofpeople,butnotenoughgoodones.-That'sright,-saidSocrates,-and whichbullinplowdoyoucallgood?–Thatonewhichplows,andstrong, andobedient.–Andwhatkindofpersondoyoucallagoodfriend?Socratesasked.-Thatonewhothinksnotjustabouthimself,butalsothinks abouttheotherone,who,oncehehearsthatafriendgotsick,willfindout whetherheneedsanything;andifyouneedhelparoundthehouse,he’llhelp, sothatyourdiseasewon’tcauseyoulosses.Ifyouneedmoney–he’llgive. That’swhoI'llcallafriend.-Well,buthowyou’llrecognizeifthisoneis thatperson?–Byhisgooddeeds.-Andbywhathewillrecognizeyou?Socratesasked.-Itmustbebythesamething.-Andwhenwouldyou becomefriends,-askedSocrates,-whenyou’reinneedorhe’llneed anything?Andeverybodywentsilentanddidnotknowwhattoanswer.Howcomeyoudon’tknow?-Socratessaid.–Let’ssay,aneighbormoved in,andhedoesn’tknowyounoryouknowhim.Howdoyouknowwhether he’llbeagoodfriend:shouldyouwaitforhimtohelpyou,oryouhelphim?
-Ithinkitisbettertowaittoseehowusefulhe’llbe,-onesaid.-Buthewill tellthatit'sbestforhimtowait,too.Inthatcaseyou’llneverbecomefriends.
–Thetruthisyours,Socrates,-saidtheother.–Allofuswantpeopletodo usgood,butwedon’twanttostart,-saidthethird.–That’swhywesaythat
therearealotofgoodbullsbutfewgoodpeople.-Andhowcouldtheybe good,ifweourselvesdonotwanttobegoodandreproachthemforthat,saidthefourth.AndSocratessaid:-Weourselvessaythatpeoplearebetter together.Andlivinginfriendshipisbetterthaninquarrel.Yousaythatthe friendshipbetweenpeopleisthedearthananythingelse,andthatthe friendshipmeanstodopeoplegood.Butwedon’twanttodogood,butonly wantotherstodogoodtous.Andbecauseofthis,welivetogethernotin peaceandjoy,butinthehostilityandgriefs.
PartIX.Whateveryoneneedstoknow?
OnceSocratescamebackfromworkandsawthatpeopleandmanyfriends gatheredintheshade.Socratesapproachedthem,saidhello.-Wearewaiting foryouhereforsometime.–Theytoldhim.-Sitdown:weneedtotalkwith you.AssoonasSocratessat,peoplegatheredaroundhimfromallsides: somepeoplewalkedby,andstoppedby;othersweretoldthatSocrates teachesatthewall,andyetotherssawthemselvesandapproached.The craftsmenlefttheirworkandwenttotheplacewhereSocratestaught.Four peoplebeganaskingSocrates,whattoteachtheirchildren.–Adviseus, Socrates,-theysay,-whatshouldweteachoutsons.Wewantthemto becomehumanswhentheygrowup.Teachus,howandwhattoteachthem? -Andwhatwereyougoingtoteachthem?-Socratesasked.–Iwasgoingto sendmysontolearnblacksmithskills,-saidone.–AndI-stonework,as you,Socrates,did.–AndIworkedthewholemylifeonland,andwishmy sonwouldworkwithme,too.-Mysonisdiligenttoteachings,hewishesto studymedicine.–That’sallgood,-saidSocrates,everyonemustworkto benefitpeople,andonepersonisgoodatonething,theotherone–in another.Isn’titso?-Socratesasked.-Ifwehaveallcrafts,willwehave everythingweneed?Whatelseisneeded?Whenweneedahouseora temple,we’llgotoamasonandcarpenter;whenneedtobuildnewships, we’llgotocarpenters.Well,andwhenahusbandneedstolivewithhiswife, asonwithhisstingyfather,abrotherwithanangrybrother,aneighborwith anevilneighbor,ahouseownerwithaproudguest,amanwithastranger. Whatmasteristheretocall?–There’snosuchskill,oneneedsonlytobea justman,-saidone.–Anyonewilldo–amason,andacarpenter,anda healer,-saidanother.–Everygoodpersonmusthavebecompetentinthis,saidthethird.-Andyou’reright,-saidthefourth,-that,inadditiontohis ownskill,everyonemustunderstandhowtolivewithpeople.-Andthat’s whathappens,-saidSocrates,-that,inadditiontoeachownskill,there’sone moreskilleveryonemustknow.-Thisskillisgivenforeveryonetobe understooddifferently,-onesaid.-Onecan,theothercan’t.–Youcan’tcan learnthisskillasyoulearnacraft,-anothersaid.–Andhowcanyoulearn this?–Thethirdonesaid.-Thiscannotbelearned,-thefourthonesaid.–
Surprisingly,-saidSocrates,-thatwhatmattesthemostisimpossible.At leasttellus,what’smostimportantforyou–tolivewellwithyourwifeorto havegoodshoes?–Oh,I'mreadytowalkbarefootallmylife,onlytoalways liveinagreementwithmywife.-Well,andwhatisworse–tobeinaquarrel withyourfatherornottowearrichdresses?–Oh,it’sknownthatyou’d ratherrefusefromthedressesthantohaveaquarrel.-Andwhatistheworse disease-feverorwhennobodylovesyou?–Oh,there’snoworsedisease thanthelatter.–Soitturnsout,thematterwhicheveryoneneedstoknow,dearerthananyothermatters,dearerthanshoe-making,andtailoring,and medicine,alltheskillsonecanlearn,-butyoucan'tlearnthismostdearand mostnecessaryone.Everyonecancountallthestarsandlistalltheherbs,but howtolivewithpeople,noonecanlearn.Isittrue?–Oh,theremustbe somethingwrong,-theyansweredtoSocrates.-AndIthinkso,-answered Socrates.
-Peoplelivedbeforeus–didn’ttheysaysomethingaboutthis?Iwishit’dbe atleastaninscriptiononthetemple.Whatdoesitsay?Thiswaswrittenin theolddays.Isn’titaboutwhatwediscuss,howapersonshouldlivewith people?-Hereit’swritten:"Knowthyself",butit’snotabouthowpeople shouldlive,-theyansweredtoSocrates.–Or,maybe,itisexactlyaboutthat –whichsays:"Knowthyself".Maybe,ifwegettoknowourselves,then we’lllearnhowtolive.–Explainus,Socrates,-onesaid.
-YouknowIdon’tknowhowtoexplain,-Socratessaid,-Icanonlyask, andyouwillexplainittomeyourselves.Let’ssay,thebullscarrygrapes. Now,tellme:whoknowsthebullsandwhoknowsthegrapes?Thatonewho willeatbeefandgrapes,ortheonewhoknowshowtogrowbullsand vineyards?-Ofcourse,theonewhoknowshowtogrow.-Well,andwhatis neededtoknowtogrowgoodcattleandgoodgrapes?–Needtoknowwhen tofeed,whentodig,andwhentotiethegrape.-Andtodothatwell,needto knowwhatthecattleneedsandwhatthevineyardsrequires.Isn'tthatright? Isn’titthesamewithourselves?Weknowourselveswhenweknowwhatwe need.
Doweknowwhatweneed?-Hownottoknowwhatweneed?Weallknow this,-onesaid.-Thereisnomanwhodoesnotknowwhatheneeds,-
anothersaid.–Now,whatdoyouneed?-Socratesasked.-Ineedalot,but mostlywealth.IfIhavewealth,Iwouldhaveeverything.-Ifyouaskedme, Socrates,-anothersaid,-Iwouldsaynotwealth,butthepoweroverpeople. IfIhavethepower,I’llhavethewealth,too.-Andforme,-thethirdsaid,neitherwealthnorpowerisneeded,Ionlyneedtolivecomfortablyandtobe engagedwithsciences,andsonobodydisturbsnorinterruptsmefrommy work.-AndI,-thefourthsaid,-onlyneedtobefamoussothateveryone wouldhonorme.-Whatisit?-Socratessaid.–IfIaskwhat’sneededto havewell-fedbullsandgoodvineyard,allofyouwillsaythesame.And whenIaskedwhatapersonneeds,eachofyoutolddifferent.Soyoucansee thatwedonotknowourselves,becausetoknowoneselfistoknowthata humanneedssothateveryoneagrees.
You’resayingyouneedwealth,-Socratessaid.-Well,weallagreewith you.Andwewillneedwealth,too.Andhowdoweshareit?Doyouagree splititwithevenlywitheverybody?-No,whatkindofwealththat’llbe?Thefirstonesaid.–Sowecannotagreewithyou,-saidSocrates.-Willwe agreeinpower?Ifyouneedpower,soIneedit,too.Howarewegoingto dominateoneanother?-Wecannotshareit,-anotheronesaidandlaughed.–Sowecan’tdivideitamongus,either,-saidSocrates.-Now,let'sfigureout yourcase,-heturnedtothethirdman,-canwelivewellyourway.Yousay thatyouonlyneedtolivecomfortablyanddoscience,becauseyouloveit. ButIwanttoplaytheflute.Ilovethat.Iwanttoeat,drinkwhenIwantto, andtoplayfluteandlistentogoodmusiciansbutwhennobodydisturbsme. WhatifIwilllivenearyou?HowwouldInotdisturbyou?Andwhenyou startrecitingpoemsaloud,howwouldyounotdisturbme?Well,let’s assume,we’llgetalong,buttheproblemis,whowillfeedus?You'renot goingtocookforme,becauseyoulovescience,andI'mnotgoingtocook becauseIloveflute.You’dsay:we’llmakeslavescookforus.Butslaves willwanttoplayflute,too,andtocountstars.Whatshouldwedothen?So, yourcasedoesn’tsuitus,either.Whatyouneed,notallpeopleneed.And thereforewehavenotunderstoodahumanbeingyet.Well,andwhatwould yousayaboutmine,Socrates?-Thefourthonesaid.–Right,yourwordis good,-saidSocrates,andtheclosesttothepoint.Yousaythatyouonlyneed allfolkstorespectyou.That'sright,everypersonneedsit.Youneedmeto respectyou,andIneedthesameformyself.Andthesameiswithothers.
Andhowtomakepeopletorespectyourself?–Exactly,thatisdifficult,saidone.-Yes,it'shard,-saidSocrates,butthat'sthewholepoint.Allthat yousay,everythingconvergestoone:toensurethatpeopledousgoodand don’tdisturbusandletusliveasweplease.Isn’tit?–Yes,that’sright.-You saidyouneedwealth,andyousaid-power,yousaid-tofreelyengagein sciences,yousaid-honors.Allyouwantsothatpeopledon’tmakeyourlife harder,anddoyougood;andeverybodyneedsthesame;therefore,that somethingthatisgoodforyouwouldnotdisturbthewell-beingofothers.
Weweretalkingaboutbullsandgrapes.Whenyousayabullneedstodrink, youdon'tmeanheneedstotramplethewellsothatothersareleftdrinking themuddywater,andyoudon’tmeanheneedstotrampleallfeeddownwith hisfeetsothatothersarelefteatingwithmanure.Whenyousaythatthevine needsspaceandsoftground,youdon’tmeanyouneedtocutanddigoutall theneighboringplants.Itisthesamewithpeople.
Ifweknowapersonandwhatheneeds,thenweknowwhatweshouldn’tdo tohim.Weshouldn’tdotoonepersonanythingthathindersorharmsthe others.Isn'tthatright?Allagreed.–Thesamewaywelearnwhattodotoa person.Weallwantfromotherstodousgood,butwhoisdoingusgood?–People,–theyansweredtoSocrates.–Andwhoarewe?–People,also.So whatdoweneedtodo?–Todopeoplegood.Sofinallyweagreed.-Said Socrates.-Weaskedourselves:whoarewe?Anddecidedthat,tounderstand this,wehavetoknowwhatweneed.Wetriedthecasetofindwhatweneed, andweallagreedthatweneed,firstofall:sothatpeopledonotdisturbour lives,andthesecond-sothattheydidusgood.Andforpeopletodousgood, wemustdopeoplegood.Sothisisthebeginningoftheteachingthatevery personneedstoknow.–Itisso,-saidoneman,-yetit’snotalwayspossible toseebywhatdeedyouhinderanother,andwhatdeedwillbegoodandwhat -evil.–You’reright,-saidSocrates.-Weoftenmakemistakes;andsothe studentsofblacksmithandshoemakeroftenmakemistakeswhentheylearn, butmastersteachthemtolearnthemselvesandfromthemasters.SoamI myselflearningtheskills,whicheverybodyneedstoknow,andteachothers whatmyteachersandthevoiceofGod,whichIhearinmysoul,taughtme.
Everybodyhearsthisvoiceofconscienceinhimself,ifonlyhelistenstoit.
Andifyouwilllisten,thenyou’lllearnfromteachersandbyyourselffromit. Peoplearenotleftwithoutguidanceinthismostimportantmatter;andever sincethebeginningofhumanrace,peoplelearnhowtolivetogether;andthe samevoiceisimplantedineachperson,thevoicethatteacheseveryonethe same.It’sgoodtolearneveryskill,butwhat’smostneeded–istolearnhow tolive,notharmingpeopleanddoingthemgood.
PartX.ThetrialofSocrates
That’showSocratestaught,andhehadalotoffriendsanddevoteddisciples, butalsoalotofenemies.Andhownottohaveenemies?Theteachingof Socrateswastoodirectandtruthful.Andalltherichdidn’tlikehim.Socrates taughtthatnottheworkthatisshamefulbutidleness,andthatGodsendsthe truewell-beingonlytoworkingpeople.Andtherichlivedinidlenessand braggedabouttheiridleness.Socratestaughtthatthegoodmandoesnot thinkabouthowtoliveluxuriously,buttolivehonestlyandonlyreckless peoplealltheirlivescareaboutcollectingwealth.Buttherichonlythought ofprofits,sawhumanhappinessonlyinluxuryandwealth.Enemiesof Socratestalkedamongthemselves:"ThismanSocratesisrestless,heonly confusespeoplebyhisteaching,turnsourchildrenagainstus.Theybelieve himmorethanus."TheangriestofenemiesofSocratesdecidedthatthey mustsomehowgetridofhim,becauseheavertspeoplefromlivingcarelessly andjustenjoyingalllifebenefits.Wemustfabricatesomethingagainsthim forwhatwecouldpullhimincourt,-debatedSocrates'senemies.Andthey cameupwithanideatopullhimincourtfornotbelievingthegodsand corruptingpeople.AndtheydeclaredtoSocrates,thatheisacriminaland theywillsuehim.DisciplesofSocratesfeltveryupsetandbitterbecause theyknewthattheirteacherdidnothingwrong.Theygatheredaround Socratesandbeganaskinghim:-Look,teacher,thinkcarefullythroughwhat you’regoingtosaytothejudgesinyourdefence.Onerichdisciplesaid:-If youworry,andcan'tthinkwellwhattosay,letusgotooneperson.Fora goodpay,he’llwriteallyouhavetosayincourt.Youcanreaditathome, andthentellittothejudgesincourt,andthey’lllikelyclearyou.Socrates saidtohisdisciples:-Calmdown,myfriends.Iwillnotspeakanyspeeches inmydefence.Mylifewillbemydefense.AndhisstudentErmogensaidto this:-Don'tyouknow,Socrates,howgoodspeecheshelpincourt?Haven’t judgesclearedtheguilty,ifhewasabletoeloquentlyandcleverlydefend himself,andcondemnedtodeaththeinnocentwho,defendingthemselves, couldnotmovejudgestopity?-AndI,-saidSocrates,-willletjudgesto judgemebasedonthedeedsofmywholelife,Ihavenothingtofear.Inmy soul,Ifeelgodlysuggestionthatit'stimeformetodie.SofarIhadstrengths
torefrainfromanythingthatisevil,tobringbenefitstothepeople,andI’m goingintodeepoldage,decrepitude.I'mafraidtoweakennotonlyinbody butalsoinspirit.Bettertodie.
TheycalledSocratesintocourt.Over500judgesgatheredtojudgeSocrates. Prosecutorscame,andSocrates.CourtusedtoholdcasesinGreeceonthe townsquare,andagreatmanypeoplealwaysgatheredtolistentothe proceedings.Thesamewasthistime.Prosecutorsheldspeechandsaid:Socratesisguiltythathedoesnotrecognizeourgodsandpreachesaboutthe newGod.-Judgesandcitizens!-Socratessaidtothis.-IlivedinAthens sixty-nineyears.Mylifewastransparenttoeveryone:Itaughtinthesquares, bythetemples;ifanyonehasheardfrommeanythinggodlessorsawthatI didsomethingbad,lethimspeak.Allweresilent.-Tolearnthewillofthe gods,everybodyusessacrednumerologyhere,andItoldyou,thatthewillof Godwecanalsoknowifwelistentothevoiceofourownsoul,becauseit passesthesuggestionofGodtous.Andnobodysaidanythingonthisto Socrates.Now,prosecutorsbegantalkingagain:-Socratesisalsoguiltythat histeachingsiscorruptingtheyouth.–Citizens!-Socratesansweredtothis.Itaughtyourchildrenwhateveryoneneedstoknow.ThevoiceofGodtaught themwhateverybodyneedstoknow.Itaughtthemtorecognizethevoiceof God,todiscernbetweenprudenceandrecklessness,truthandfalse,goodand evil.Itoldtotheoldandyoung:don'tlookforwealthandfame,don'tthink firstaboutthebody,howtopleaseit,butthinkaboutthesoul.Thinkabout howtobenefitothers,andputrighteouslifeaboveall.Ihavetaughtwhatthe voiceofGodinspiredme,andformyteachingIamreadytosuffernotone butathousanddeaths.Socrateswentsilent;andprosecutorsdidn'tknowwhat tosay.ThenSocratessaid:-Ihavenothingmoretosayinmydefense.I knowthatmanytelllongspeecheshopingtoarousethejudges’pity,bring theirrelativestocourtsothattheirtearsandappealstouchtheheartsofthe judges,butIwon’tdothat.Notbecausethereisnobodytoaskforme.I'm alsonotbornfromthestoneandnotfromanoak:Ialsohavefamily,wife, children,anddevotedfriends.ButIwon’tcallthemheretoaskyouforme, becauseIthinkit'shumiliatingforyou,judges.Youshoulddecidetheverdict notoutofpity,butoutofjustice.Conscienceobligesyou,forthatlawsare set.Andthejudgesstartedconsultingamongthemselves.
EnemiesstartedthetrialofSocrates,andthereweremanyenemieseven amongthejudges,too,andyetnearlyhalfthejudgesdecidedthattherewas nothingtorecognizeSocratesguiltyfor.However,overpoweredopponents, andthejudgessaid:-Socratesisguilty.Prosecutorssaid:-Guiltyand deservingofdeath.Socratescalmlylistenedtothisandtoldjudges:Prosecutorsrequiremydeath,butthelawgivesmethechoiceofpunishment; sohearmeout.Icouldrequestthatinsteadofdeaththeyimprisonmeforlife injail.Butwhatwillthiskindoflifeserve?Itwillbeuselessforothers,and painfulforme.BylawIcouldalsochoosetobesenttoforeignlands.But whatwouldittakeforme,anoldman,toroveoverthestrangerlands?The lawallowsmetopayformyselfalargefinancialpenalty.Idon'thavethe money,butmyfriendsanddisciples,Plato,Critoandothers,arewillingto putformehowmuchisnecessary.Doyouagreeonthis,judges-citizens? Thejudgesdidn’tanswerhimanything,andthenSocratessaid:-IfIfelt guilty,Iwouldbewillingtobearthemostseriouspunishment,butmy conscienceisclean.Ididnoevil,honestlyservedmyfatherland.Formy achievementsandworkstobenefitall,youshouldhavehonoredmewiththe highestawardthatisdedicatedforthehonoredcitizens,namely:tocontain methroughmylifeatpublicexpense.Butyou,citizens,instead,calledmein court,believedthewordsofmyenemies,haveforgottenaboutmymerits. Thejudgestookoffense.–HowcomeSocratesdecidedtoreproachus,what shouldwedo?Weknowthatwithouthim,-theybegantalkingamong themselves.-Anddon’tlistentohimanymore,-theenemiesstartedto inflame,-ordoyouwanttobecomehisdisciples,too?-Andinfact,it'stime tofinishthecourt,-judgeshavemurmured.Theyspokebrieflyamong themselvesandannouncedthisverdict:-WeassignSocratestodeath.Hehas todrinkacupofpoison.Socrateslistenedtotheverdict,and,withoutchange inhisface,toldthejudges:-Iamsorrynotaboutwhatwillhappentome,but aboutthatyouhavedisgracedyourselfandyourpeopleforhaving condemnedtheinnocent.You,citizens,haverushedtogetridofan inconvenientmanwhowasnotafraidtospeaktruthtoanyone.Yourushedin vain:evenwithoutyourverdict,thedeathwasalreadyafterme,anoldman.I askyouonething:whenmychildrengrowup,teachthemwhatItaughtyou. Ifyounoticetheyhavegreedforwealthandfame,reproachthemforthatasI havereproachedyouandyourchildren.Bydoingthis,youwilldothemthe greatestgoodandrepaymeforwhatIdidforyou.Andnowgoodbye,it’s
timeforustopartways:youwilllive,I'mgoingtodie.Whoofuswillbe betteroff-Godisincharge.
PartXI.Socratesinprison
Usuallyconvictswereexecutedthenextdayaftercourt,butthetrialof Socratesfellontheeveofholidays,whenitwasconsideredsinfultocarry outdeathpenalty.TheyputSocratesinjailforallthistime.Therehespent thirtylastdaysofhislifeawaitingforhisdeath.Everydayhisdisciplescame toprisontovisitSocrates,andhecontinuedtoteachthem,andwhenhewas leftalone,hewascomposingpoems.Hedidn'tfeelneithersadness,norfear ofdeath.Holidayswerecomingtoend.Hisdisciplesfeltpoignanttothink thatsoontheywillforeverlosetheirdearteacher,-Couldwesomehowsave him?-Theytalkedamongeachother.Andtheydecidedtobribetheprison guard,andgetSocratesoutofjailatnightandsecretlymovehimawayintoa foreignland.AnapprenticeCritovolunteeredtotalktoSocratesaboutit. Onlytwodaysleftbeforetheendoftheholidays,therewasnotimeto procrastinate.Lateatnight,studentsdepartedanddecidedthattomorrow morning,asearlyaspossible,CritowillgotopersuadeSocrates.Crito couldn’tsleep.Happythought,thatthereisawaytosavehisbelovedteacher fromdeath,didn’tlethimsleep.Assoonasitbecamebrighter,hegotup,got dressedandwenttoprison.Theguardknewhim,andthereforeagreedtolet CritotoSocratesrightaway.Socratesstillslept.Critoquietlycameandsat byhisbedside.Socratesdidn’twakeupforlongtime,andCrito,lookingat him,marveledathowapersoncanpeacefullysleepontheeveofthecapital punishment.WhenSocratesopenedhiseyes,hewasverysurprisedtosee Crito.–Itmustbelatealready,-hesaid,-whydidn'tyouwakemeup,Crito? -No,itisstillveryearly,-answeredCrito,-thesunhadnotrisenyet.I admiredyourcalmsleepandrejoicedoveryou,thatinadreamyouareable toforgetoftheupcomingmisfortune,ofthedeathwaitingforyou.Iwas alwaysamazedatyourserenity,butdidnotexpectthatthetranquilitywill notleaveyouintheseterribledays.Socratessmiledandsaid:-Littledidyou knowyourteacher.Buttellme,whydidyoucomesoearlytoday?Notto watchmesleep?-No.Ihaveabigrequesttoyou,notonlymine,butofmany peoplededicatedtoyou,-timidlybeganCrito.–Tellquickly!-Socratessaid withpassion.-Wehavedecidedtosaveyoufromdeath,Socrates.Thereisa way:atnightwecansneakyououtoftheprison.ThefaceofSocratesgot
gloomy,helookedatCritostrictlyandwithsadness.-Hearmeout,teacher,Critosaid.-You'rebeenconvictedunjustly.Rememberhowmuchgoodyou canstilldotopeople.Takepityofyourlittlechildren,takepityofus,agree toescapefromtheprison.Wehavearrangedallthis.Theguardcanbe bribed,wecanmoveyououtindisguisetoaneighboringland.Thereare peopleIknow,theywillgladlytakeyou.Wewillshipyourchildrenthere, too.Theywillgrowwithyou,andwon’tbeorphans.Wehaveenough money.IwillgiveyouallthatIhave.YouknowI'mrich,andbesideme,the others,yourdisciples,preparedmoneytosaveyou,becauseyou'remore precioustousall.Ibegyou,agreetorun.There’snotimetothink:only tonightit’spossibletodothis.Afterall,thisisthelastnightbeforeyour execution.-Critospokeheartily,withtears,but,judgingbythefaceof Socrates,hesawthattheteacherwasnotpersuadedbyhiswords.Whenthe Critofinishedtalking,Socratessaid:-Thankyou,Crito.Iknowthatyou venturedallthisoutofgoodfeelingsforme.Iknowthatyoualllovemeand arethankfultome.Butweshouldn’tbeguidedonlybyfeelings.Tosave myself,I'llhavetousedeception,breakmyword.Inthecourt,IsaidthatI’ll obeytheverdict,thatIamreadytosufferformyteaching,andnotorment shallcompelmetoabandonit.Supposeyougetmeoutofprisonalive;alive -butalreadynotthatpersonIenteredit,you’llgetacrookoutofhere.Isthat whatyouwant?-CritofeltthatSocrateswasright,butcouldnotyetabandon thethoughtstosavehim.–Thosewhoknowsyouwillnotbelievethatyou areadeceiver;youcanfoolonlythosebadpeoplewhounjustlycondemned you,-saidCrito.-Otherswillonlyrejoiceoversavingyourlife.-No,Crito, -Socratesrepliedfirmly.–I’lldeceivenotonlymyenemiesbutalsoallthe peopleandwillbetraymyconscience.Ispentmylifeteachingthataperson shouldneveractunfairly;if,however,Iwilldosomyself,whothenwill believeintowhatItaught?Iwouldleavetheprison,theenemies,butwhere wouldIgofromthevoiceofmyconscience?Let’sleavethisunrealistic intent,myfriendCrito,we’lltogetherbravelyembracetheinevitable.Crito realizedthattheycan’tsavetheirteacher,andwentbackwithsadnesstotell otherstudentsaboutSocrates'sanswer.
PartXII.ThelastlectureofSocrates
Thedayofexecutioncame.Customary,theyperformedexecutionsbefore sunset.DisciplesofSocratesgatheredfromthemorningbyprisondoors. Manyofthemweptbitterly.Theprisonguardcameoutandtoldtothe visitors:-Nowthey’lltaketheshacklesoffSocrates,andthenI’llletyouin. Sometimelatertheyopenedprisondoors.StudentsfoundSocratesonbed,he wasjustunshackled.Hiswifestoodbesidethebedandheldtheiryoungest childinherhands.Havingseenthestudentsofherhusband,she,sobbing, said:-Thisisthelasttimetheycometoyou,Socrates,they’llbelisteningto youforthelasttime.Thisisthelasttimeyou’rehavingaconversationwith them.-Wifewashurtingherself,tearedherhair.Socratesaskedstudentsto takeherhome.
Hewantedtogetup,buthislegsbecameswollenandachedbadlyfrom heavyshackles.Herubbedthemandhefeltbetter.-Notice,friends,-hesaid tohisdisciples,-there’saconsolationtoanysuffering.Howlongagodid thislegsufferfromtheheavyshackles;yetnowit’swell,andrelieved?The samehappenswithanysuffering.NowIcanstandup.Studentssurrounded Socrates,theywantedtotalkandlistentohim,butitwasdifficulttouttera wordbecauseoftears,andtheycouldonlythinkabouttheterriblemortal hourofSocrates,bitterseparation,anddidnotdaretospeak.Theteacher realizedwhattheyhadintheirhearts.–Isee,Iknow,thatyoufeelsorryfor meandnotonlypitybutalsoscaredforme.HowdoIcomfortyouand encourage?Lookatme.Iamcalm,noregretsorfearofanything.Ifeeleasy andlightinmysoul.Iendmylifeinprison,sentencedtodeath.Peoplethink it'sashame,buthowcanyouconsideritashamewhenIsufferfortruth,and notforawrongshamefulact?Peopleslanderedme,condemnedme,butI can'tbeangryatthem,orhatethem.Iknowthattheyactedsoofsheerfolly.
Ireproachedthem,pointedouttotheirerrorsfortheirowngood,buttheydid notunderstandmeandconsidereditevilfrommyside.Theyactedasfoolish children.I'llexplainthisbyexample.
Let’sassumethatamanwasassignedtosickchildren,whosatisfiedalltheir desires,butthenanother,ahealer,cameandbegantocareonlyabouthowto
curethem.Whowould,youthink,thesickchildrenwishtokeepwith themselves?Ofcourse,whodonotchallengethem,andthey’dtrytogetrid ofthedoctor.Theywouldsay:thismantormentsus,locks,doesn’tgiveusto drinkandeatinabundance,fillswithabittermedicine,cuts,burns.Let’s drivehimawayor,evenbetter,sothathecouldn’tcomebacktous.My opponentsdidnotunderstandme,justlikethekidstheirdoctor.-Havingsaid this,Socrateshadstopped,noticingthatCritowantedtotellhimsomething.Socrates,-Critosaid,youknowthateveryyourwordisdeartous,butwe kindlyaskyoutostoptalking.Thewardenjusttoldusthatifanyoneinhis lasthoursspeaksalotandfervently,thepoisonwillactslowerandmoreofit willberequiredtodrink.-Thankthewardenforthetip,myfriends,Socratesanswered,andaskhimtopreparemorepoisonforme.I'mreadyto drinkitnotonce,buttwoorthreetimes,ifnecessary.Poisonwillmakeits effectwhenit’stime,untilthenlet'stalkpeacefully.IhavealotIwanttotalk toyouabout.Sitclosertome.Socratessatonthebed,andthedisciplessat aroundhim,howeveranyonecould.HisstudentPhaedowassittingclosestto Socrates.Hehadbeautifullonghair,andSocrates,duringtheirdiscussions, likedtostrikehishairandrunhisfingersthroughit.Andthistime,too, Phaedowassittingonalowbenchnearthebed,andthehandofSocrateswas lyingonhishead.-What,Phaedo,-theteachersaid,-wherewilltomorrow beyourbeautifulhair?-TheGreekshadthecustomofcuttinghairoutof sorrowandputtingitonthegraveofwhomtheyweregrievingfor.Thiswas whatSocrateshintedat.Thesewordsoftheirteachervividlyremindedtohis studentsabouttheirupcominggrief;someofthemcried.Socratessaid:Friends,Iamnotafraidofdeath-scarednottodie,buttolivemeaningless, sinfullife.
PartXIII.ThedeathofSocrates
Socrateswentsilent.Hisdiscipleswaitedforhimtotalkmore.Theteacher said:-However,thetimegoesby.It’snolongerearly.I’llgowashmyselfso tonottobotherotherswithwashingmydeadbody.Andyouwaitforme here,staywithmetilltheend.Socrateswenttoanotherroomtowash,and Critowentwithhim.Andtheotherdisciples,waitingforhim,talkedabout theirlastconversationwiththeteacher,abouthisdeath,howtheywilllive abandoned,withouthisbelovedmentor.Theeveningcame.Intheroom, wherethediscipleswere,aguardadmittedhisrelatives,Socrates'wifeand children:oneelderandtwoyoungsters.Soonafter,Socratesenteredhimself. Hestartedsayinggoodbyetothem.Womenraisedsuchalamentthat Socrateshadtoasktowalkthemaway.ThenthedisciplessaidtoSocrates:Tellusyourlastwill.Maybeyouwanttoarrangesomethingforyour children?Wewillgladlydoforyoueverythingthatyouwillorder.Socrates said:-Ihavenoproperty,sothere’snothingtohandle.ActasItaughtyou: that’sallmywill.Thenyouwillknowwhattodoformychildren,also.–Andhowwillyouordertoburyyou,Socrates?-Critoasked.-Whydoyou askmeaboutthat?-Socratesaskedhimreproachfully.–Didn’tyouseethat wholemylifeItookcareofmybodyonlytoletitservethesoul,andwhen mysoulleavesthebody,doesn’titmatterwhatthey’lldowithit?-Socrates laiddownonthebed,goingtostartaconversationwiththedisciples,asthe doorhasopenedandthewardencamein;heusedtocometotheprisonwith commandsfromthejudges.-Socrates,-hesaid,-whenIcametoother convictstoannouncetothemthetimeoftheirexecution–todrinkapoison, theygreetedmewithfoullanguageandcurses.That’snotwhatIexpectfrom you,becausetherewasneverbeforeintheprisonanykinderandmorejust personthanyou.Donotgetangryatme,butontheothers,theculpritsof yourdeath.YouknowwhatnewsIbroughttoyou.Goodbye,try courageouslytoundergowhatwehavenopowertocancel.–Hesaidthatand walkedawayfromtheSocrates’bed,becausehecouldn'tholdhistears.Goodbyetoyou,too,-answeredSocratestotheleavingwarden,-Iwill completeeverythingasitshouldbe.-Andthenhesaidtohisdisciples:Whatagoodman!Heoftencameheretotalktome.Howsincerelyhefeels
sorryforme!Andnow,friends!Tellthemtobringthepoison.-Whyrush, teacher?-Oneofthedisciplesbeganpersuadinghim.Thesunhadnotyetleft behindthemountains.Otherconvictsmanageevenafterthesunsettoeat, drink,andspendtimewithlovedones.Timetolerates!-Letothersdoso;to them,itmustbedeartoprolonglifeevenforalittlelonger.Andmylifeis finished,andthere’snopointtodelayitsend,-Socratesreplied.–Fulfilwhat Isaid.Onestudentmadeasigntothestandingguardthere,andhewentfor thepoison.Afterhimajailerenteredwithabowlinwhichpoisonwas diluted.-Thankyou,myfriend,-Socratestoldhim.-Teachme,whattodo now.-Afteryoudrinkthepoison,youshouldwalkuntilyoufeelthe heavinessinyourlegs,-repliedthejailer.Thenliedownonthebed,because that’llbeasignthatthepoisonstartstowork.Withoutchangeonhisface, Socratestookthebowlwiththepoisonfromthejaileranddrankittothe bottom.Hisstudentsheldthemselvesstrongthewholeday,butnowcouldn’t holdanylongerandburstintears.OnlySocratesdidnotlosehisfirmness.Whatdoyoudo,friends?–Hecounseledthem.-Isentwomenandchildren awaytoavoidseeingtheirfaintheartedness,andyouactnotbetterthanthem. That’showyou’reyoulisteningtome!-Afterdrinkingthepoison,Socrates didnotstopwalkingaroundtheroom,asthejailertold.Butthenhefeltthat hislegsbecameheavy,andhelaidonhisback.Studentssurroundedhisbed. Thejailerapproachedandstronglypushedhisfingersontheleg.-Doyou feelpain?-Heasked.-No,-answeredSocrates.Thejailersuppressedtheleg aboveandSocratesalreadydidn’tfeelanything.-That'sbecausehisbody beginstochillandstiffens.Whenthechillreacheshisheart,that’llbethe end,-thejailersaidtothedisciples.-Friends,I’mdying,renderthanksto God!-Socratessaid.Alldisciplesrushedtotheirteacher,leanedtohim, startedtocallhim,buthedidn’tansweredtothem.Helaidmotionless;then hisbodyconvulsed,andmouthandeyesstopped.Whatlaidbeforethe discipleswasalreadylifelessbodyoftheirbelovedteacher.Oneofthembent downandclosedhiseyes.
That’showSocrateslivedanddied,buthisteachingdidn’tdie.Thebestof hisdisciplescontinuedhisblessedwork,taughtkindnessandtruth,andwrote downtheinstructionsoftheirgreatteacher.Thankstotheirmanuscripts,we alsolearnedabouthim.Socrateslivedfourhundredyearsbeforethetime whenJesusChristcametoEarth.
1885.
