Socrates Quote by Epictetus
““That Socrates should ever have been so treated by the Athenians!" Slave! why say "Socrates"? Speak of the thing as it is: That ever then the poor body of Socrates should have been dragged away and haled by main force to prision! That ever hemlock should have been given to the body of Socrates; that that should have breathed its life away!—Do you marvel at this? Do you hold this unjust? Is it for this that you accuse God? Had Socrates no compensation for this? Where then for him was the ideal Good? Whom shall we hearken to, you or him? And what says he? "Anytus and Melitus may put me to death: to injure me is beyond their power." And again:— "If such be the will of God, so let it be.””
About This Quote
Source Dialogue: Discourses of Epictetus, 2nd century AD
The speaker condemns the mistreatment and execution of Socrates, questioning injustice and divine will.
In simple terms: Socrates was unfairly punished and the speaker challenges the notion of divine approval.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and seek justice.
Themes
justice
philosophy
divine will
martyrdom
Mood
defiant
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical.
When to use this quote
- court trials
- public executions
- moral debates
- political dissent
Key Concepts
Stoicism
ethics
political oppression
Questions to Reflect On
- Is injustice ever justified by divine will?
- How should we respond to wrongful authority?
A Different Perspective
The quote reflects a specific historical context and may not apply universally.
![“All Hellenistic schools seem to define [wisdom] in approximately the same terms: first and foremost, as a state of perfect peace of mind. From this viewpoint, philosophy appears as a remedy for human worries, anguish, and misery brought about, for the Cynics, by social constraints and conventions…” quote by Pierre Hadot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56e/pierre-hadot-39367_cynicism_all-hellenistic-schools-seem-to-define-w_498386.jpg)
