Death Quote by Socrates
““Do you feel no compunction, Socrates, at having followed a line of action which puts you in danger of the death penalty?' I might fairly reply to him, 'You are mistaken, my friend, if you think that a man who is worth anything ought to spend his time weighing up the prospects of life and death. He has only one thing to consider in performing any action--that is, whether he is acting rightly or wrongly, like a good man or a bad one.””
About This Quote
Source Dialogue: Apology by Plato, 399 BC
Socrates argues that moral judgment, not personal safety, should guide actions; a good person acts rightly regardless of risk.
In simple terms: Do what is right, not what is safe.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize virtue over fear.
Themes
ethics
courage
morality
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical.
When to use this quote
- political activism
- whistleblowing
- civil disobedience
- personal integrity
Key Concepts
virtue ethics
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever justified to prioritize self‑preservation over principle?
- How do we assess the moral weight of dangerous actions?
A Different Perspective
Risk may lead to loss of life, which can outweigh moral duty for some.
![“...[Y]ou know very well the truth of what I [say]... I have incurred a great deal of bitter hostility; and this is what will bring about my destruction, if anything does... the slander and jealousy of a very large section of the people. They have been fatal to a great many other innocent men, and…” quote by Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/864/socrates-405_courage_y-ou-know-very-well-the-truth-of-what-i_1457970.jpg)
