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The trial and death of Socrates (469-399 BCE) have almost as central a place in Western consciousness as the trial and death of Jesus. In four superb dialogues, Plato provides the classic account.
First published January 1, 401
鈥楬owever, I reflected as I walked away: 鈥榃ell, I am certainly wiser than this man. It is only too likely that neither of us has any knowledge to boast of; but he thinks that he knows something which he does not know, whereas I am quite conscious of my ignorance. At any rate it seems that I am wiser than he is to this small extent, that I do not think that I know what I do not know.鈥�'
鈥楽o I made myself spokesman for the oracle, and asked myself whether I would rather be as I was鈥攏either wise with their wisdom nor ignorant with their ignorance鈥攐r possess both qualities as they did. I replied through myself to the oracle that it was best for me to be as I was.鈥�