Quote
By Socrates
For the fear of death is indeed the pretence of wisdom, and not real wisdom, being a pretence of knowing the unknown; and no one knows whether death, which men in their fear apprehend to be the greatest evil, may not be the greatest good.
- Source
- Apology, 1892 · Apology, Stephanus 29a
- Read at
- Plato, translated by Benjamin Jowett (Project Gutenberg text, eBook #1656)
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About this quote
As reported by Plato in the Apology (Jowett translation). Socrates is the speaker, in his defence speech at his trial in 399 BC. He wrote nothing himself. Socrates says it to explain why he would not give up his mission even out of fear of death.