Yesterday I read some of the writings of Socrates and Plato. Actually, there are no actual writings of Socrates, but Plato recorded as best he could the teachings and speeches of Socrates. So, in Plato's words, here are some things that Socrates said in his final speech. Socrates was condemned to die and was permitted to give a final speech/plea. His appeal was not successful and he was killed shortly after this speech.
I am certain I am right in taking this course.
The truth is, O men of Athens, that God only is wise. The wisdom of men is worth little or nothing.
My plainness of speech makes them hate me.
A man who is good for anything ought not to calculate the chance of living or dying; he ought only to consider whether in doing anything he is doing right or wrong.
Men of Athens, I honour and love you; but I shall obey God rather than you, and while I have life and strength I shall never cease from the practice and teaching of philosophy.
For I do nothing but go about persuading you all, old and young alike, not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but first and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul.
I shall never alter my ways, not even if I have to die many times.
If you kill such an one as I am, you will injure yourselves more than you will injure me.
I have always been the same in all my actions, public as well as private.
The difficulty, my friends, is not to avoid death, but to avoid unrighteousness.
Be of good cheer about death, and know of a certainty, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death. He and his are not neglected by the Gods.
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