Surrendering to Divine Providence – Selections from “Crito” by Plato (vegetarian), Part 1 of 2

Socrates believed that an individual’s main purpose on Earth was to discover the Truth. He stated that most people focus their lives around their families, careers, and social responsibilities, when in fact, they should be concerned about the welfare of their souls. With compassion for all life, Socrates followed and promoted a vegetarian diet.

Originally written in 360 BC, by Plato (vegetarian), “Crito” depicts a conversation between Socrates and His faithful friend Crito while He is awaiting execution in prison from an unjust trial against Him. Here Socrates explains the Divine concept that it is unacceptable to repay evil with evil, and that one should not pay too much attention to what the majority think but rather follow the direction of the Divine Providence.

During a lecture in Costa Rica in 1989, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) spoke of the sacrifices that the Saints, including Socrates (vegetarian), made to enlighten people and why They are the greatest peacemakers.

“All the Saints in the past worked very hard to enlighten people; even though by doing so, They had to endure many kinds of criticism, misunderstandings, and hardships, sometimes even risking Their lives, such as in the case of Jesus and Socrates… Also, Buddha – many people wanted to kill Him, also tried to blacken His name; but despite all of this difficulty, the Saints always endure for the sake of people. The Saints are the greatest peace makers, the greatest politicians, who always bring peace into the world – the ‘king without any throne.’ Because They don’t need anything in this world.”

Today, we would like to present excerpts from “Crito,” by Plato (vegetarian), where Crito enters Socrates’s cell very early in the morning to persuade Socrates to use the escape route that had already been prepared for Him. However, Socrates resolves to surrender Himself to the will of Providence instead.