The quote comes from Plato’s Apology, apologia in Greek, which in legal proceedings means defence speech. Plato’s Apology is a representation of Socrates real trial of 399 _B.C. and although it can’t be known what was said at the trial, Plato’s version exists to ask some difficult philosophical questions.

Socrates stands accused of practising a mode of philosophy – socratic questioning – which his accusers claim “makes the worse argument the stronger”, teaches about “things in the sky and things below the earth”, and does not “believe in the gods” so is “corrupting the young”.

Despite Socrates defence the majority of the 501 jurors find him guilty, with one of his accusers (Meletus) calling for a death sentence. This is why Plato’s Apology is also known as the “The Death of Socrates”