Who improves the young? Horses
Such is the charge; and now let us examine the particular counts. He says that I am a doer of evil, and corrupt the youth; but I say, O men of Athens, that Meletus is a doer of evil, in that he pretends to be in earnest when he is only in jest, and is so eager to bring men to trial from a pretended zeal and interest about matters in which he really never had the smallest interest. And the truth of this I will endeavour to prove to you.
SocratesCome hither, Meletus, and let me ask a question of you.
You think a great deal about the improvement of youth?
MeletusYes, I do.
SocratesTell the judges, then, who is their improver; for you must know, as you have taken the pains to discover their corrupter, and are citing and accusing me before them. Speak, then, and tell the judges who their improver is.—Observe, Meletus, that you are silent, and have nothing to say. But is not this rather disgraceful, and a very considerable proof of what I was saying, that you have no interest in the matter? Speak up, friend, and tell us who their improver is.
MeletusThe laws.
SocratesBut that, my good sir, is not my meaning. I want to know who the person is, who, in the first place, knows the laws.
MeletusThe judges, Socrates, who are present in court.
SocratesWhat, do you mean to say, Meletus, that they are able to instruct and improve youth?
MeletusCertainly they are.
SocratesWhat, all of them, or some only and not others?
MeletusAll of them.
SocratesBy the goddess Herè, that is good news! There are plenty of improvers, then. And what do you say of the audience,—do they improve them?
MeletusYes, they do.
SocratesAnd the senators?
MeletusYes, the senators improve them.
SocratesBut perhaps the members of the assembly corrupt them?—or do they too improve them?
MeletusThey improve them.
SocratesThen every Athenian improves and elevates them; all with the exception of myself; and I alone am their corrupter? Is that what you affirm?
MeletusThat is what I stoutly affirm.