the greatest reputation among them. Moreover, the
Lacedemonians continued in their way of expelling foreigners,
and would not indeed give leave to their own people to travel
abroad, as suspecting that those two things would introduce a
dissolution of their own laws: and perhaps there may be some
reason to blame the rigid severity of the Lacedemonians, for
they bestowed the privilege of their city on no foreigners, nor
indeed would give leave to them to stay among them;
whereas we, though we do not think fit to imitate other
institutions, yet do we willingly admit of those that desire to
partake of ours, which, I think, I may reckon to be a plain
indication of our humanity, and at the same time of our
magnanimity also.

38. But I shall say no more of the Lacedemonians. As for the
Athenians, who glory in having made their city to be common
to all men, what their behavior was Apollonius did not know,
while they punished those that did but speak one word
contrary to the laws about the gods, without any mercy; for
on what other account was it that Socrates was put to death
by them? For certainly he neither betrayed their city to its
enemies, nor was he guilty of any sacrilege with regard to any
of their temples; but it was on this account, that he swore
certain new oaths (26) and that he affirmed either in earnest,
or, as some say, only in jest, that a certain demon used to
make signs to him [what he should not do]. For these reasons
he was condemned to drink poison, and kill himself. His
accuser also complained that he corrupted the young men, by
inducing them to despise the political settlement and laws of
their city: and thus was Socrates, the citizen of Athens,