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forgotten— I will make way for him. And let him say, if he has any 
testimony of the sort which he can produce. Nay, Athenians, the 
very opposite is the truth. For all these are ready to witness on be- 
half of the corrupter, of the injurer of their kindred, as Meletus and 
Anytus call me; not the corrupted youth only— there might have 
been a motive for that— but their uncorrupted elder relatives. Why 
should they too support me with their testimony? Why, indeed, ex- 
cept for the sake of truth and justice, and because they know that I 
am speaking the truth, and that Meletus is a liar. 

Well, Athenians, this and the like of this is all the defence which 
I have to offer. Yet a word more. Perhaps there may be some one 
who is offended at me, when he calls to mind how he himself on a 
similar, or even a less serious occasion, prayed and entreated the 
judges with many tears, and how he produced his children in court, 
which was a moving spectacle, together with a host of relations and 
friends; whereas I, who am probably in danger of my life, will do 
none of these things. The contrast may occur to his mind, and he 
may be set against me, and vote in anger because he is displeased 
at me on this account. Now if there be such a person among 
you,— mind, I do not say that there is,— to him I may fairly reply: 
My friend, I am a man, and like other men, a creature of flesh and 
blood, and not 'of wood or stone,’ as Homer says; and I have a fam- 
ily, yes, and sons, O Athenians, three in number, one almost a man, 
and two others who are still young; and yet I will not bring any of 
them hither in order to petition you for an acquittal. And why not? 
Not from any self-assertion or want of respect for you. Whether I 
am or am not afraid of death is another question, of which I will 
not now speak. But, having regard to public opinion, I feel that 
such conduct would be discreditable to myself, and to you, and to 
the whole state. One who has reached my years, and who has a 
name for wisdom, ought not to demean himself. Whether this 
opinion of me be deserved or not, at any rate the world has decided 
that Socrates is in some way superior to other men. And if those