Socrates as a Cross-Examiner.
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the stand, and by doing so gives the " men . ful cross-questioning to accuse Socrates of of Athens" one of their rarest treats. This corrupting youth designedly. man Miletus, Socrates tells them, must be "So you think I have reached that pitch simply jesting, or if not, he must have a of ignorance," says Socrates, " that I do not low opinion of the intelligence of this court. know that if I make any one of my asso "He never took the least interest in the ciates depraved, I shall thus endanger my things of which I am accused, and I 'll prove self; and yet you say I designedly bring it to you. First as to the corrupting this great evil upon myself." He then goes youth : — on to point out how obviously absurd it is "Come now, Miletus, tell me, do you not to say that he designedly injures himself, consider it of the greatest importance that so that if he does corrupt youth, he must the youth should be made as virtuous as be doing it undesignedly, for which he can only be admonished and not punished. Mile possible?" Miletus says that of course he does; but tus is so obviously done up that Socrates when asked who makes them any better does not spoil the effect by any remarks, than they are, he hesitates for an answer, but takes up at once to the next count. and Socrates nodding to the court, says : "Tell us, Miletus, according to the indict "You see how much interest he takes in ment you have preferred, do you mean to this matter." Finally Miletus replies that say that I corrupt youth by teaching them the laws make youths better, at which Soc not to believe in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other strange deities?" rates smiles and asks for a more specific an swer. An inspiration here strikes the wit Miletus answers that he certainly does ness, and he says the judges make them say so, and in reply to some clever question better. ing is led to say that by his indictment he means to accuse Socrates of not believing "Very good," says Socrates, " do you in clude all the judges? " Miletus is so tickled ♦ in any gods at all, and of teaching others with his answer that he readily admits that that there are, in fact, no gods. And he all the judges, senators, hearers, indeed all even denies that Socrates believes the sun the Athenians make youth better, excepting and moon to be gods, but accuses him of saying that the sun is a stone, and the only Socrates. "That's rough on me. But tell me, moon an earth. Socrates easily overcomes Miletus, is it the same with horses? (You this: "As to the sun and moon not being gods, know more about them than you do about the virtues of youth.) Suppose that all you fancy that you are accusing Anaxayour neighbors trained your horse, of course goros, my dear Miletus, and thus you put a slight on these honorable judges and these they would better him, and only your spe cial trainer could harm him? " Socrates puts assembled Athenians, for you imply that him through a little of this, and passes on they are so illiterate as not to know that the writings of Anaxagoras of Clazomene are to the next point. "Now, Miletus, my good man, tell this full of such assertions. And the youth honorable court whether it is better to dwell moreover learn these things at the play and with good or bad citizens? And whether not from me." Miletus is led to repeat his charge that bad citizens do not work evil to those near Socrates believes in no god whatever, and is them?" Miletus admits that they do, and also then twitted with having instituted the whole acknowledges that no one cares to injure proceeding for his own amusement or out of himself designedly. He is then led byskill- pure insolence and wantonness; and again
