The dialogues of Plato in five volumes, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Translated into English with analyses and introductions
Plato · en
‘These are the sort of accusations to which, as we were
saying, you, Socrates, will be exposed if you accomplish
your intentions; you, above all other Athenians.’ Suppose
now I ask, why I rather than anybody else? they will
justly retort upon me that I above all other men have
acknowledged the agreement. ‘There is clear proof,’
they will say, ‘Socrates, that we and the city were not displeasing
to you. Of all Athenians you have been the most
constant resident in the city, which, as you never leave, you
may be supposed to love[21]. For you never went out of the
city either to see the games, except once when you went to
the Isthmus, or to any other place unless when you were on
military service; nor did you travel as other men do. Nor
had you any curiosity to know other states or their laws:
your affections did not go beyond us and our state; we were
your special favourites, and you acquiesced in our government
of you; and here in this city you begat your children,
which is a proof of your satisfaction. Moreover, you might
in the course of the trial, if you had liked, have fixed the
penalty at banishment; the state which refuses to let you go
now would have let you go then. But you pretended that you
preferred death to exile[22], and that you were not unwilling to
die. And now you have forgotten these fine sentiments,
and pay no respect to us the laws, of whom you are the
destroyer; and are doing what only a miserable slave would
do, running away and turning your back upon the compacts
and agreements which you made as a citizen. And first of
all answer this very question: Are we right in saying that
you agreed to be governed according to us in deed, and
not in word only? Is that true or not?’ How shall we
answer, Crito? Must we not assent?
_Cr._ We cannot help it, Socrates.
[Sidenote: This agreement he is now going to break.]