But in how different a way from theirs! Well, as I was saying, they have hardly uttered a word, or not more than a word, of truth but you shall hear from me the whole truth : not, however, delivered after their manner, in a set oration duly ornamented with words and phrases. They ought to have been ashamed of saying this, because they were sure to be detected as soon as I opened my lips and displayed my deficiency they certainly did appear to be most shameless in saying this, unless by the force of eloquence they mean the force of truth for then I do indeed admit that I am eloquent. But many as their falsehoods were, there was one of them which quite amazed me-I mean when they told you to be upon your guard, and not to let yourselves be deceived by the force of my eloquence. So the joke is based around that pun, as Socrates certainly didn't apologize.How you have felt, O men of Athens, at hearing the speeches of my accusers, I cannot tell but I know that their persuasive words almost made me forget who I was-such was the effect of them and yet they have hardly spoken a word of truth. In addition, Plato's title of 'Apology' doesn't refer to 'saying I'm sorry', as we usually use the word today, but instead refers to itsĮarlier meaning of defending oneself of one's actions or beliefs. The joke is centered around the fact that Socrates hardly tried to defend himself at all, and instead mostly doubled down on what got him into trouble in the first place - claiming that the elder 'wise' men of Athens didn't know anything worth knowing. You can read the full text here, and there is a free audio book version of it on librivox. His life and death inspired generations of philosophers in Athens to more deeply investigate the nature of reality, and to question all the traditions of the past. Socrates was killed for investigating the truth, and just as it was with Obi-wan, striking him down only made him more powerful.

It is, essentially, the founding myth of all of Western philosophy in many ways. This comic is about Plato's Apology, where Socrates defended himself at his trial and is ultimately put to death for corrupting the youth and impiety to the Gods.

The trial and death of socrates apology