But, setting aside the question of dishonor, there seems to be something wrong
in petitioning a judge, and thus procuring an acquittal instead of informing
and convincing him. For his duty is, not to make a present of justice, but to
give judgment; and he has sworn that he will judge according to the laws, and
not according to his own good pleasure; and neither he nor we should get into
the habit of perjuring ourselves- there can be no piety in that. Do not then
require me to do what I consider dishonorable and impious and wrong,
especially now, when I am being tried for impiety on the indictment of
Meletus. For if, O men of Athens, by force of persuasion and entreaty, I could
overpower your oaths, then I should be teaching you to believe that there are
no gods, and convict myself, in my own defence, of not believing in them. But
that is not the case; for I do believe that there are gods, and in a far
higher sense than that in which any of my accusers believe in them. And to you
and to God I commit my cause, to be determined by you as is best for you and
me. - -
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= Note
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