Buddha was born into an aristocratic family, but eventually renounced lay life to practice asceticism for several years, till his awakening. He then travelled throughout the Ganges teaching and building a religious community. He taught a middle way between sensual indulgence and severe asceticism, plus ethical and meditative practices.
Socrates is described by many as the father of Western philosophy, and as being the first moral philosopher of the Western ethical tradition of thought.
Words are to knowledge as pictures are to their subjects
Socrates was an enigmatic figure who made no writings, and is known chiefly through the accounts of his students Plato and Xenophon. During his own time he was seen as a persona non grata by many, a "gadfly of the state", according to Plato, as he irritated some notorious people with considerations of justice and the pursuit of goodness.
As for me, all I know is that I know nothing!
Due to this annoyance, Socrates was brought to court under the charges of corrupting the youth and for not believing in the gods of the state. During his trial, he claims to be wiser than any other person simply because he does not imagine that he knows what he does not know. As described by Plato in Apology, "Although I do not suppose that either of us knows anything really beautiful and good, I am better off than he is – for he knows nothing, and thinks that he knows. I neither know nor think that I know."
Not exactly the words someone would present to a court if looking for absolution! And yet, while imprisoned, Socrates had the opportunity to escape, but declined believing that escaping would indicate a fear of death, which he believed no true philosopher has, as would also cause him to break the law, an unprincipled act!
Socrates was found guilty and sentenced to death by drinking poison hemlock. His students encouraged him to flee Athens, an action which was also expected by the citizens, but yet, on his philosophical principle, Socrates refused to do it and decided to fulfil his legal responsibility to Athens. He willingly drank the poison hemlock, with no complaint.
The unexamined life is not worth living!
Socrates believed that philosophy – the love of wisdom – was the most important pursuit above all else. For some, he represents more than anyone else in history the pursuit of wisdom through questioning and logical argument, by examining and by thinking. His examination of life in this way spilled out into the lives of others, such that they began their own examination of life.
The phrase "the unexamined life is not worth living" was supposedly spoken by Socrates at his trial after he chose death rather than exile. In modern times, it represents a noble choice – the choice of death for your principles, instead of a convenient alternative.
