For what else have we to say, whenwise men are forcibly dragged by the hands oftyrants, and their wisdom is taken captive bycalumny, and they are oppressed in their intelligence without defense? For what advantage did the Athenians gain by their murder of SocratesÉ. Or the people of Samos by the burning of PythagorasÉ Or the Jews by the death of their wise king, because from that time their kingdom was takenaway? For with justice did God make recompense to the wisdomof these three: for the Athenians died of famine; and the Samians were overwhelmed by the sea without remedy; and theJews, desolate and driven from their ownkingdom, are scattered through every country. Socrates is not dead, because of Plato;neither Pythagoras, because of the statue of Juno; northe wise King, because of the laws which hepromulgated.
Mara barSerapion, Letter to His Son