The Memorabilia

For over two millennia, Xenophon's 'Memorabilia' has stood as a unique and intimate record of the life and teachings of Socrates. In this modern-English edition, the ancient philosopher's conversations are rendered in clear, accessible prose, inviting today's readers to encounter Socrates as his contemporaries did: a man of relentless curiosity, practical wisdom, and profound moral seriousness. Xenophon, a soldier and historian who walked alongside Socrates, presents his teacher not as a remote ideal but as a guide to self-control, friendship, leadership, and the art of living well. These dialogues defend Socrates against the charges that led to his death while offering timeless insights into piety, justice, and the examined life. Faithfully preserving the structure and substance of the original, this edition makes a foundational work of Western philosophy newly readable. Part of The Modern Wisdom Library.