Where these other men consider themselves the best in every craft, Socrates rejects his pride in being a genuine and better human being. Self-knowledge in the Athenian government could have saved many people during the Peloponnesian War. If the leaders had been like Socrates and admitted defeat, the people of Athens may not have suffered the enormous amount of damage their war-torn city suffered. If the Athenians had had the wisdom of Socrates, they would not have executed him, but they also would not have given him free meals for