Socrates Death Story: The Master Philosopher of Greece

 

Life And Death of Socrates Story: A Tale of The Master Philosopher of Greece

 

“If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be content to take their own and depart.”

– Socrates

The Incredible & Immortal Life Story of Socrates: Who has not heard the name of Socrates, the greatest philosopher of Greece? He was the master of another famous philosopher of Greece, Plato. This great man who was born around 470 BC, at Athens in Greece, made a huge impact on Western logic and philosophy.

As Socrates belonged to a very ordinary family, he only received a basic Greek education but his curiosity to know the deeper aspects of life and his ability to think deeply made him a great philosopher. Socrates believed that philosophy had the potential to cause greater well-being in society. So he guided the youth of Athens to build a more humane and civilized society.

But the ruling powers of Greece were not pleased at all by his efforts so they sentenced him to death by hemlock poisoning in 399 BC. These two stories of Socrates’ life tell us what an incredible man he was. Surely we can say he was the greatest man in the history of ancient Greece.

 

Death Story of Socrates: The Greatest Philosopher of Greece

Socrates – the great man who served the seeds of scientific spirituality in the west was roaming in the street of Athens. The clothes he was wearing were torn and also dirty as they had not been washed for many days. The state of his footwear was worse than his clothes. However, none of these affected him. There was a soft smile on his lips and bright light in his eyes.

Though his body showed signs of aging, his mind, and inner being showed the same youthfulness and was a sea of joy in which people around him would take a dip always. Even now, he was surrounded by Xenophon, Crito, Plato, and some other disciples.

Socrates was very popular because of his blatant-noble thoughts and his deep knowledge of life, especially among the youths of Athens. The youth used to feel a strong magnetic pull toward this old man. This was what the ruling powers of Athens could not digest, but Socrates was not bothered.

He remained engaged as usual in the dissemination of knowledge to the youths. But his activities worsened the situation and he was arrested by the soldiers while he was with his disciples. Socrates was tried and convicted by the court of Athens on the charge of misleading the youth and disbelieving in the ancestral Gods.

What Happened When Authorities Framed The False Charges on Him

He was told that if he apologized for his actions and promised not to repeat them, he could be forgiven. But Socrates did not beg pardon, rather he cursed everyone present there. He said firmly – “To me, accepting your advice would mean insulting the Almighty. If I can’t talk of righteous conduct and can’t carry on self-analysis, then my life would be a waste.

Instead, it would be better for me to consume poison and die.” As a result, he was convicted and sentenced to death by poison. Socrates laughed out aloud at the allegations and the punishment and said “O judge! When death knocks on your door, then accept him with the courage with which I am accepting him.

Always remember that no calamity befalls a person of truth either in his life or after his death. The Lord never is indifferent about the destiny of such a person.” He continued – “The punishment that you have meted out is actually not a punishment, but a divine plan. The inner voice that always guides me has said that my experiments on life will spread out from here.”

“My job is done. It is now better for me to leave this body and be freed of suffering. I am neither angry with those who passed this judgment. Now the time has come for us to move on – I on to death and you on to the living. But among my death and your living, which is the greater one?”

Great Socrates Welcomed The Death Like A Home Returning Hero

Thinking for some time, he continued – “This death of mine is not death. This is the last in the series of experiments I conducted on life.” Saying this, he walked towards the prison. On the day of his death, his students came to meet him in the morning. Socrates was sleeping peacefully. When the guard got the vessel of poison, he was happy and took it from the guard excitedly.

He told his students “Come and sit near me. All these days I have explained about life. Now I will explain the experience of death.” Drinking the poison he started explaining the changes happening in him both physiologically and mentally.

Slowly the body started losing the life force and became sluggish but the light of his inner peace spread everywhere. In the end, he said, “I am being established in the heavenly light. The death of the body and the poison given could not harm me.”

Then looking at Plato he said, “Tell everyone about my experiments with life and tell them that one who worships the deity of life not only remains free of all sadness during his lifetime but also achieves a much higher state in death and his happily established in the light of heaven.” With this, the master philosopher of Greece closed his eyes forever.

“The hour of departure has arrived and we go our ways; I to die, and you to live. Which is better? Only God knows.”

– Socrates