CRITO 379
Socrates. There can be no doubt about the mean- ing, Crito, I think.
Onto. Yes, the meaning is only too clear. But O, my beloved Socrates, let me entreat you once more to take my advice and escape. For if you die I shall not only lose a friend who can never be replaced, but there is another evil : people who do not know you and me will believe that I might have saved you if I had been willing to give money, but that I did not care. Now, can there be a worse disgrace than this — that I should be thought to value money more than the life of a friend ? For the many w*ill not be persuaded that I wanted you to escape, and that you refused.
Socrates. But why, my dear Crito, should we care about the opinion of the many ? Good men, and they are the only persons who are worth considering, will think of these things truly as they occurred.
Crito. But you see, Socrates, that the opinion of the many must be regarded, for what is now happening shows that they can do the greatest evil to any one who has lost their good opinion.
Socrates. I only wish it were so, Crito, and that the many could do the greatest evil ; for then they would also be able to do the greatest good — and what a fine thing this would be ! But in reality they can do neither ; for they cannot make a man either wise or foolish ; and whatever they do is the result of chance.
Crito. Well, I will not dispute with you ; but please to tell me, Socrates, whether you are not acting out of regard to me and your other friends : are you not afraid that if you escape from prison we may get into trouble with the informers for having stolen you
