onclusion I have
come, not only in accidental intercourse with others, but by a strict
comparison drawn between myself and others, and in this faith I
continue to this day; and not I only, but my friends continue in a like
persuasion with regard to me, not for the lame reason that they are
my friends and love me (or else would others have been in like case as
regards their friends), but because they are persuaded that by being
with me they will attain to their full height of goodness. But, if I am
destined to prolong my days, maybe I shall be enforced to pay in full
the penalties of old age--to see and hear less keenly, to fail in
intellectual force, and to leave school, as it were, more of a dunce
than when I came, less learned and more forgetful--in a word, I shall
fall from my high estate, and daily grow worse in that wherein aforetime
I excelled. But indeed, were it possible to remain unconscious of the
change, the life left would scarcely be worth living; but given that
there is a consciousness of the change, then must the existence left to
live be found by comparison insipid, joyless, a death in life, devoid of
life's charm. But indeed, if it is reserved for me to die unjustly, then
on those who unjustly slay me lies the shame (since, given injustice is
base, how can any unjust action whatsoever fail of baseness?) (11) But
for me what disgrace is it that others should fail of a just decision
and right acts concerning me?... I see before me a long line of
predecessors on this road, and I mark the reputation also among
posterity which they have left. (12) I note how it varies according as
they did or suffered wrong, and for myself I know that I too, although I
die to-day, shall obtain from mankind a consideration far different from
that which will be accorded to those who put me to death. I know that
undying witness will be borne me to this effect, that I never at any
time did wrong to any man, or made him a worse man, but ever tried to
make those better who were with me."

(8) See above, II. x. 3; "Symp." i. 3; iii. 14; iv. 47 foll.; vi. 2;
"Apol." 2; Plat. "Crat." 384.

(9) See above, I. i. 1.

(10) {to daimonion}--"the divine (voice)."

(11) This passage also may, perhaps, be regarded as spurious.

(12) Or, "There floats before my eyes a vision of the many who have
gone this same gate. I note their legacies of fame among
posterity."

Such are the words which he spoke in conversation with H