This guide contends that a pure person cannot be harmed by death. It explains, in simple terms Socrates' argument in Apology that his death is not harmful because his purity will carry on. This is a fairly complex guide and best suited to someone familiar with the argument. Socrates contends the gods recognize moral character, and thus he is not at risk on this earth. Plato's Apology documents Socrates' plea to the jury of Athens before he is sentenced to death for "corrupting the minds of the young, and for believing in deities of his own invention instead of the gods recognized by the state" (42c). However, throughout the course of his discourse to the jury, Socrates is able to show that moral character and virtue are the true values of life and that is it impossible for this "corrupt" jury to harm a good man and that even the sentence of death cannot bring harm because of Socrates' moral character.
