Socrates was a familiar figure in Athens. Shabbily dressed and always barefoot, he spent his days discussing everything under the sun with all and sundry.
He was soon regarded as the wisest man in Athens, even though the city was full of philosophers who charged money for teaching. This flattery did not impress Socrates. He said, "The only thing I know is that I know nothing." He also said:
"Ignorance is
the only Evil"
Socrates believed that happiness came from leading a good life. What is good and what is bad? This was the big question. Socrates thought he might find out if he talked to enough people. The more questions he would ask the more he would know, and knowledge was the one thing he was sure was good. But his challenging questions got him into trouble. Some of Athens' leading political figures did not take kindly to having their opinions reduced to tatters.
Socrates was arrested and accused of corrupting young minds and worshipping false gods. He was found guilty on both charges and sentenced to death by drinking poisonous hemlock. His accusers expected him to beg for his life. Their real intention was to bring him down a peg or two. Under Athenian law, Socrates had the chance to suggest a different punishment.
But he refused to grovel. Instead, he proposed that the city should give him one free meal a day and erect a statue of him in the market place. The court was not amused and ordered the death sentence to be carried out.
The old philosopher was honest (and penniless) to the last. Rather than die owing money, he paid off his final debt with chicken.
Socrates loved city life, saying that he could learn nothing from a tree in the countryside.
He listened to an inner voice which stopped him doing things for selfish reasons.
Socrates' wife was annoyed that he would not teach for money.
He went barefoot, even in winter.
Before he died, he paid off his debt with a chicken.
His words were recorded by Plato, his most famous pupil.
He saw himself as a horsefly, stinging Athens to life.
