Crito
Crito is the short dialogue in which Plato shows Socrates, in prison and awaiting execution, refusing the chance to escape. His old friend Crito arrives before dawn with news that the ship from Delos is expected, which means the sentence will be carried out within days, and with a plan: money is ready, Thessaly is safe, and Socrates owes it to his friends and his children to live. Socrates answers that the question is not what the many will say but whether escape would be just, and in the voice of the laws of Athens he argues that a citizen who has accepted the city's benefits may not break its judgments. Benjamin Jowett's translation is preceded by his introduction. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the opening pages free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Crito
Crito by Plato can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Crito online?
Yes. Crito opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Crito free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Crito is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Crito in the public domain?
Yes. Crito by Plato is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Benjamin Jowett. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Crito?
About 27 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Crito?
Crito by Plato is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
