Apology

“And, tliougli their favorite classic author is now brought again within the reach of American students, and restored in some measure to his proper place in college education, in Presi- dent Woolsej's scholarly edition of the Gorgias, and Professor Lewis' profound Annotations on por- tions of the Laws, still many an older and many a younger scholar cannot but sigh to see the simpler and more Socratic Dialogues of Plato superseded^ even by the more finished dramatic imitations of his middle life, or the more profound moral and political speculations of his riper years.”

“It is doubtless a faithful representation of the de- fence, or rather justification, we might almost say, glorification, of his own life, character, and mis- sion, which Socrates actually pronounced before his judges.”

“At the same time, perliaps, it may be re- garded as an exemplification of Plato's beau ideal of the true Orator, whose aim and ofiice it is, not to save the life of the accused by whatever means of falsehood, bribery, and seduction he can invent, but to set forth the claims of truth and justice in all their native right to command universal obedience.”

“At the same time, perliaps, it may be re- garded as an exemplification of Plato's beau ideal of the true Orator, whose aim and ofiice it is, not to save the life of the accused by whatever means of falsehood, bribery, and seduction he can invent, but to set forth the claims of truth and justice in all their native right to command universal obedience.”

“The argument, by which Socrates exculpates him- self, will probably strike most modern readers as more subtle than conclusive in its reasoning, and somewhat dangerous withal in its practical tendency, since, carried out to its legitimate result, it would seem to prove that all crimes must be involuntary, and all criminals proper objects of commiseration and instruction, rather than of punishment.”

“They proved also that his influence over the young, by precept and especially by example, so far from corrupting, w^as suited to inspire them with an inflexible regard for justice.”

“PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION, The " Grseca Majora," which was all the Greek read in college by many successive generations of American students, contained Plato's Crito and the narrative part of the Phsedo ; and, among all the extracts in that admirable collection, none are cher- ished in fresher remembrance or with a more rever- ential love than these inimitable productions of the great spiritual philosopher of ancient Greece.”

“And in proof that he did, he would refer them to no less authority than the God at Delphi. (21, a.) He never supposed himself to be wise in any sense, till, in response to a question of his friend and the friend of the people (Chserephon), the Delphic Oracle declared, that there was none wiser than he.”

“And these prepared the way for the formal indictment for corrupting the youth and endeavoring to subvert the religion of his country.”

“Anytus, it should be added, was a rich leather-seller, and a man of influence in the democracy; and when Socrates, seeing signs of intellectual capacity in his son, endeavored to dissuade the father from bring- ing up his son to his own trade, Anytus was per- sonally offended (Apol.”

“Does it seem merely hu- man that I have neglected my own affairs so many years and attended to your interests, persuading you Hke a father or an elder brother, to cultivate virtue ?”

“But Soc- rates, forgetting himself, overlooking his family and friends, and looking beyond the mere reputa- tion of Athens, and even the right and wrong of the present case in itself considered, holds us sternly to the consideration of the great principles of law and order w^hich it involves, and compels the as- sent of our reason and conscience, though against all our inclinations, and against the first dictates of our understanding.”

“" " Be- cause," such is the substance of the answer, "the 16 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. great question for a man to ask is not whether life or death will be the result of his conduct, but whether he is doing right or wrong, and acting the part of a good or bad man; as the heroes of the Trojan war, and all true heroes, have ever despised danger and death in the path of duty and glory." (28, B. c.”

“But such weakness, worthy only of women, was especially unworthy of Athenian men ; and if seen in their great men, particularly in one who, like himself, was reputed, whether justly or unjustly, to be a man of extraordinary virtue, it was not only dishonorable to him, but it would reflect dishonor on the whole people. (35, a. b. c.) Be- sides, it was doing a great wrong to the judges, who needed not entreaties, but instruction and per- suasion, and whose duty it was, not to sacrifice justice to personal feelings and interests, but simply to execute the laws.”

“B.) And, as men are sometimes inspired with something like prophetic vision in their last hours, he warns his judges, who voted for his con- demnation, that speedy vengeance will overtake them in the reproofs of their own conscience and of the numerous friends of virtue who would come * Of.”

“The few exceptions are specified in the notes, and the reasons given for the choice of a different reading.”

“Not, however, ty any means, Athenians, speeches rhetorically decl•ed out as theirs were in choice words and phrases, nor carefully arranged in ornate periods, hut yoit shall hear facts, stated without premeditation in the words which chance to occur to me.”

“Socrates here enters upon another topic, and discourses upon it with such freedom and boldness, such a consciousness of his own inno- cence not merely, but such an assn ranee of his divine mission, and such compassion not for himself but for them if they should reject his instructions and condemn him to death, that they must either recognize his superior wisdom or take offense at his arrogance.”

“PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION, The " Grseca Majora," which was all the Greek read in college by many successive generations of American students, contained Plato's Crito and the narrative part of the Phsedo ; and, among all the extracts in that admirable collection, none are cher- ished in fresher remembrance or with a more rever- ential love than these inimitable productions of the great spiritual philosopher of ancient Greece.”

“17 would be, I respect and love you, but I will obey the God rather than you.”

“Crito now proceeds to press him with various and urgent motives—justice to himself, duty to his wife and children, regard to the affection and repu- tation of his friends, and the like—to bribe his keepers, forfeit his bail, and make his escape, de- claring that it can be done at a very small expense, and he and the other friends would gladly meet any losses or dangers which might befall them in such a course, rather than lose such a friend, and, moreover, incur the disgrace with the multitude of sacrificing him to the love of money. (44, ; 46.) " But why, my dear Crito, why should we so much regard the opinion of the multitude ?”

“He had a wife and children, and friends whom he tenderly loved, and whose grief at his death would doubtless be very great.”

“The simple beauty of the style and the almost inspired truth and grandeur of the sentiments have graven these immortal compositions, as with the point of a diamond, on thousands of hearts, and entitle them to the high place which they have held among the select educational instruments of former generations.”

“At the same time, perliaps, it may be re- garded as an exemplification of Plato's beau ideal of the true Orator, whose aim and ofiice it is, not to save the life of the accused by whatever means of falsehood, bribery, and seduction he can invent, but to set forth the claims of truth and justice in all their native right to command universal obedience.”

“Accordingly, we shall find the Socrates of the Apology excluding all artificial rhetoric, all appeals to prejudice or passion, and declaring the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, with the simplicity and directness, the frankness PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.”