Socrates defends himself in court in this resounding speech, recounted firsthand by one of history’s greatest philosophers.

Plato’s Apology is an account of the speech Socrates makes at the Athenian trial in which he is charged with not accepting the gods recognized by the state, inventing new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens. Recounted by Plato, Socrates’s speech is a rousing examination of integrity, wisdom, and the role of a philosopher. It is filled with wit, intelligence, and lessons that remain relevant today.