Speak up, friend, and tell us who their improver is.
the exception of myself; and I alone am their corrupter? Is The laws.
that what you affirm?
But that, my good sir, is not my meaning. I want to know That is what I stoutly affirm.
who the person is, who, in the first place, knows the laws.
I am very unfortunate if that is true. But suppose I ask The judges, Socrates, who are present in court.
you a question: Would you say that this also holds true in the case of horses? Does one man do them harm and all the What do you mean to say, Meletus, that they are able to world good? Is not the exact opposite of this true? One man instruct and improve youth?
is able to do them good, or at least not many; - the trainer of Certainly they are.
horses, that is to say, does them good, and others who have What, all of them, or some only and not others?
to do with them rather injure them? Is not that true, Meletus, of horses, or any other animals? Yes, certainly. Whether you All of them.
and Anytus say yes or no, that is no matter. Happy indeed By the goddess Here, that is good news! There are plenty would be the condition of youth if they had one corrupter of improvers, then. And what do you say of the audience, -
only, and all the rest of the world were their improvers. And do they improve them?
you, Meletus, have sufficiently shown that you never had a Yes, they do.
thought about the young: your carelessness is seen in your And the senators?
not caring about matters spoken of in this very indictment.
Yes, the senators improve them.
And now, Meletus, I must ask you another question: But perhaps the members of the citizen assembly corrupt Which is better, to live among bad citizens, or among them? - or do they too improve them?
good ones? Answer, friend, I say; for that is a question which may be easily answered. Do not the good They improve them.
do their neighbors good, and the bad do them evil?
Then every Athenian improves and elevates them; all with Certainly.