Socrates believes that the opinions of intelligent men are more important than the opinion of the public. Socrates says that escaping from prison is wrong if the Athenians want him there. Socrates thinks that the state has given him an unfair sentence, but fighting back would be no better than what they have done to him. The state will think that Socrates is in debt to them, therefore any rebellion would be uncalled for. Socrates is unsure about how the escape could benefit his children, since relocating them would also infringe upon their education. Socrates is also concerned about the punishment for his wrongdoings after death.
