The Apology The Verdict is 'Guilty'

Socrates claims that there are many reasons why he is not distressed by this result, the main one being that it was not unexpected. What he found surprising, however, was the closeness of the result. A mere thirty votes would have changed the outcome and he would have been acquitted. However, he now faces the fact that the death penalty is demanded and that he is to suggest a substitute for it.

Topic Tracking: Death 8

He realizes that he could have led an ordinary life, making money and having a comfortable home, although he believes he is too fair-minded for politics. But instead, he spent his life trying to do good for others by persuading them to think of their mental and moral well being instead of material possessions; thus he believes he deserve a reward. What he deems appropriate for a poor man like himself is free dining at the Prytaneum, as he believes that he deserves this more than any victor at the races at the Olympia. Furthermore, as he tries to do public good, he needs maintenance, unlike those victors, and this would be very good maintenance.

He realized that perhaps when he says this, he might give the jury the impression that he is stubborn. However, he only says this because he knows that he never intentionally did anybody any wrong. He would probably be able to convince them of this if there was more time for discussion. Knowing that he did nothing wrong, he says that he cannot be expected to claim that he deserves a punishment, let alone recommend one. In order to suggest banishment, he claims that would have to be in love with life. This is because just as the people of this city did not tolerate him, no other town will.

Topic Tracking: Resentment 5

If they should ask him why he does not stop philosophizing in other towns and 'mind his own business,' it is because that would be disobedient to God. However, he realizes that they probably think he is 'pulling their leg.' Yet, they would be even less inclined to believe him if he were to continue his work, and tell them that discussing goodness and other subjects he talks about is the best thing a man can do and that "life without this sort of examination is not worth living...." Line 38a

Furthermore, he does not think he deserves a punishment. Despite this, he is willing to pay a fine since money does not matter to him. He can afford, and offers, one hundred drachmae. At this time, Plato, Crito, Critobolus and Apollodorus propose three thousand drachmae on their security, which everybody knows is reliable.