and then you will pass the rest of your life in sleep, unless the deity, caring for you, should send some one else to you.  But that I am a person who has been given by the deity to this city, you may discern from hence; for it is not like the ordinary conduct of men, that I should have neglected all my own affairs, and suffered my private interest to be neglected for so many years, and that I should constantly attend to your concerns, addressing myself to each of you separately, like a father, or elder brother, persuading you to the pursuit of virtue.  And if I had derived any profit from this course, and had received pay for my exhortations, there would have been some reason for my conduct; but now you see yourselves that my accusers, who have so shamelessly calumniated me in everything else, have not had the impudence to charge me with this, and to bring witnesses to prove that I ever either exacted or demanded any reward.  And I think I produce a sufficient proof that I speak the truth, namely, my poverty.

19.  Perhaps, however, it may appear absurd that I, going about, thus advise you in private and make myself busy, but never venture to present myself in public before your assemblies and give advice to the city.  The cause of this is that which you have often and in many places heard me mention; because I am moved by a certain divine and spiritual influence, which also Melitus, through mockery, has set out in the indictment.  This began with me from childhood, being a kind of voice which, when present, always diverts me from what I am about to do, but never urges me on.  This it is which opposed my meddling in public politics; and it appears to me to have opposed me very properly.  For be well assured, O Athenians! if I had long since attempted to intermeddle with politics, I should have perished long ago, and should not have at all benefited you or myself.  And be not angry with me for speaking the truth.  For it is not possible that any man should be safe who sincerely opposes either you, or any other multitude, and who prevents many unjust and illegal actions from being committed in a city; but it is necessary that he who in earnest contends for justice, if he will be safe for but a short time, should live privately, and take no part in public affairs.

20.  I will give you strong proofs of this, not words, but what you value, facts.  Hear, then, what has happened to me, that you may know that I would not yield to any one contrary to what is just, through fear of death, at the same time by not yielding I must perish.  I shall tell you what will be displeasing and wearisome,[5] yet true.  For I, O Athenians! never bore any other magisterial office in the city, but have been a senator:  and our Antiochean tribe happened to supply the Prytanes when you chose to condemn in a body the ten generals who had not taken off those that perished in the sea-fight, in violation of the law, as you afterward all thought.  At that time I alone of the Prytanes opposed your