Order out of Chaos 25

Socrates is not grieved by the conviction of guilt. He admits that he never intended to harm anyone, and had he more time for his defence, he might have been able to prove it. He states: “I cannot in a moment refute great slanders;” Meletus proposes death as the penalty. Socrates ponders about his fate. Should he be imprisoned or fined or exiled or receive the death penalty and concludes that death is preferable, especially at his age (70's). He has no money so is unable to pay a fine and imprisonment at this stage in his life is pointless. He refused to plead and bargain for his life for he for his was innocent.