Even when someone treats us unjustly, we must not act unjustly ourselves.
01 / Meaning
Wrong Remains Wrong
What does it mean?
In the Crito, a friend offers to help Socrates escape from prison. Before deciding, Socrates holds to one principle: we must not answer one wrong with another. What someone else does cannot make our own wrong action right.
The same applies to disputes about money, work, or trust. Anger is understandable. Even so, we can protect ourselves, stay truthful, and seek a fair solution. Our actions can then follow honesty and fairness instead of another person’s mistake.
02 / Practice
Put this thought into practice
Before sending an angry reply, take ten calm breaths.
Write one sentence stating only what happened. Do not guess why the other person acted that way.
Decide what you can now say or do clearly without becoming unfair yourself.
03 / Your task
5 minutesFor a dispute that is troubling you, write two sentences: “This is what happened.” and “This is how I will respond clearly and fairly.”
Personal growth begins with one small step.
04 / Reflection
Reflection question
How can you protect yourself without acting unfairly?
Let the question stay with you for a moment. An honest answer matters more than a quick one.
06
Source and context
Paraphrase—Socrates speaking in Plato’s Crito
A clear English paraphrase of Plato’s text. Socrates is the speaker in the dialogue; his historical wording is not independently documented.
Open the referenced source: Plato, Crito 49b–49d