Apology

​For each of these men, gentlemen, is able, going to each of the cities, to persuade the young men—who are permitted to associate for free with whomever of their own citizens they wish—to leave their associations with those men and associate with themselves, paying them money and being grateful besides. Actually, I also learned of another wise man, a Parian, who is in town; for I happened to meet a man who has paid more money to sophists than all the others combined, Callias the son of Hipponicus. So I questioned him—for he has two sons: “Callias,” I said, “if your two sons had been born colts or calves, we would have been able to find and hire a supervisor for them who was going to make them noble and good in their proper virtue, and this would have been either someone from the horsemen or from the farmers. But now, since they are humans, whom do you have in mind to take as a supervisor for them? Who is knowledgeable in such virtue, that of a human and a citizen? For I think you have considered this because of your possession of your sons. Is there anyone,” I said, “or not?” “Certainly,” said he. “Who is he,” I said, “and where is he from, and for how much does he teach?” “Evenus,” he said, “Socrates, a Parian, for five minas.” And I congratulated Evenus if he truly possessed this art and teaches so reasonably. I, at least, would also be proud and give myself airs if I understood these things; but indeed I do not understand them, men of Athens. Someone among you might perhaps reply: “But, Socrates, what is your affair? From where have these slanders arisen against you? For surely, if you were not busying yourself with something more unusual than other people, such a great rumor and talk would not have arisen, unless you were doing something different from the multitude. Tell us, then, what it is, so that we may not judge you offhand.” In saying this, the speaker seems to me to speak justly, and I will attempt to show you what indeed it is that has brought me this name and this slander. Listen then. And perhaps I shall seem to some of you to be joking; be well assured, however, that I shall tell you the whole truth. For I, men of Athens, have acquired this name through nothing other than a certain wisdom. What indeed is this wisdom? That which is perhaps human wisdom; for in fact I am likely to be wise in this. But those men whom I just mentioned might perhaps be wise in some wisdom greater than human, or I do not know what to say; for indeed I do not understand it, and whoever says I do is lying and speaks to slander me. And do not make a disturbance, men of Athens, even if I seem to you to say something boastful; for I shall not say the words as my own, but I shall refer the speaker to a trustworthy authority for you. For of my wisdom, if indeed it is any wisdom and of what kind it is, I shall offer as witness to you the god in Delphi. For you surely know Chaerephon.