The Trial of Socrates – Truth, Justice, and Virtue – Selections from "Crito" by Plato (vegetarian), Part 1 of 2

Today, we would like to present selections from “Crito” wherein Socrates (vegetarian) poses rhetorical questions exploring the nature of justice and the rights of individuals who have been oppressed or wrongly accused.

Socrates pressed on: “What, then, if the laws should say, ‘Socrates, was it not agreed between us that you should abide by the judgments which the city should pronounce? […] For, come, what charge have you against us and the city, that you attempt to destroy us? Did we not first give you being?’”

“And if this be so, do you think that there are equal rights between us? and whatever we attempt to do to you, do you think you may justly do to us in turn? Or had you not equal rights with your father, or master, if you happened to have one, so as to return what you suffered, neither to retort when found fault with, nor, when stricken, to strike again, nor many other things of the kind; but that with your country and the laws you may do so; so that if we attempt to destroy you, thinking it to be just, you also should endeavor, so far as you are able, in return, to destroy us, the laws, and your country; and in doing this will you say that you act justly—you who, in reality, make virtue your chief object? […] that to offer violence either to one's mother or father is not holy, much less to one’s country? What shall we say to these things, Crito? That the laws speak the truth, or not?”