Summary and Analysis of Crito

Summary and Analysis of Crito Crito, a close friend of Socrates, wants to help Socrates escape from the prison, because he thinks Socrates has the good reputation of his friends, and should not be worried about money, his friends, and good places to go after he escape from the prison. What is more, Socrates can take care of his children. Socrates tells Crito that they should not pay much attention to what “most people” think, and they should pay more attention to the opinions what sensible, qualified people hold. Also, Socrates points out that the really important thing is not to live, but to live well, which is the same thing as to live honorably and justly. If it is not just for Socrates to escape from prison, he would drop it. Even though Socrates does not think he is guilty, he thinks he ought not to return an injustice or an injury to any person, whatever the provocation. So they are doing an injury and abiding their just agreements if they leave this place without first persuading the state to let them go. There is an agreement between Socrates and the Laws like to that between a son and his parents of even greater weight. States bring individuals into the world and reared, educate them. The Laws give their adults the power to go away wherever they like if they are not satisfied with the State. So if one chooses to stay, he should obey the agreements. Because of this, Socrates chooses to consider more about justice rather than his children and his life. Socrates chooses to sacrifice his life to justice. He thinks his motherland raised him up and he had already made the agreement with his State, so he should obey the rules. Besides, he thinks he ought not to return an injustice or an injury to any person, whatever the provocation, so he would not escape from the prison, because this behavior may injure his State. Moreover, it is really important thing is not to live, but to live well, which is the same thing as to live