Dialogues · Chapter
Crito explained
Socrates, awaiting execution in prison, is visited by his wealthy friend Crito, who urges him to escape.
What happens
Socrates, awaiting execution in prison, is visited by his wealthy friend Crito, who urges him to escape. Crito argues that Socrates' death would harm his friends' reputation and that Socrates is unjustly condemning himself. Socrates responds by examining the principles of justice and the social contract, concluding that he must obey the laws of Athens even if they have wronged him, as he has agreed to live by them his entire life.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Injustice
Socrates argues that it would be unjust to escape punishment because it would violate the laws of Athens, which he has implicitly agreed to obey.
Law, Custom, and Legislation
The dialogue explores the social contract between the citizen and the state, emphasizing the duty to obey laws even when they are applied unfairly.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Socrates, I am your friend, and you are in great danger; I want to save you, and I think that you are not acting rightly in trying to avoid death.”
Crito expresses his concern for Socrates' life and urges him to escape, believing Socrates is making a mistake by accepting death.
Crito's emotional appeal to Socrates to prioritize his life over philosophical principles.
“Then we ought not to retaliate or render evil for evil to anyone, whatever evil we may have suffered from them.”
Socrates argues that one should never return injustice for injustice, even when wronged.
Socrates' core ethical stance against retaliation, central to his decision not to escape.