Session 1: Socrates - The Courage to Question

Welcome Back!
We begin our Legends Series with one of history’s greatest thinkers: Socrates. Living in Athens nearly 2,500 years ago, he didn’t build monuments or leave behind books. Instead, his influence comes through the questions he asked and the way he lived. His courage challenges us to think deeply, live authentically, and never stop seeking truth.

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Why Socratic Courage Matters

Socrates believed that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” For him, life’s highest calling was wisdom. Instead of claiming to know it all, he admitted, “I know that I know nothing.” That humility became the starting point of true learning. His commitment to questioning was not safe or popular. Athens was a city of strong traditions and shifting politics, and questioning the system often upset powerful people. Yet Socrates refused to trade truth for approval. He believed that living by conviction was more valuable than living comfortably. That makes his legacy timeless. In today’s world filled with noise, trends, and half-truths, it is tempting to simply follow the crowd. Socrates reminds us that real growth comes from pausing, asking hard questions, and refusing to settle for easy answers.

A Real-World Picture

The ultimate test came at the end of his life. Charged with corrupting the youth and introducing new gods, Socrates stood before the Athenian court. He could have avoided death by apologizing or fleeing into exile. Instead, he defended his mission with boldness. He compared himself to a gadfly, sent to awaken Athens from complacency. His role was to keep people thinking, even if it annoyed them. The jury condemned him to death, and Socrates accepted the sentence with calm courage. He drank the cup of poison hemlock in the presence of his friends, proving that integrity meant more to him than survival.

Humor Break

Living without questions is like trying to read a book with the pages glued together. You may hold it in your hands, but you will never discover the story.

Action Step for You

Choose one area of your life where you’ve just gone along with habit. Ask yourself one deep question: “Why am I doing this? What do I really believe about it?” Write it down and reflect. Even a single thoughtful question can open the door to growth.

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Closing

Socrates shows us that legends are not only warriors or rulers. Sometimes, they are thinkers who dare to ask questions others fear. His life reminds us that courage is not only found on the battlefield but in daily choices to live honestly and seek truth.

As we begin this Legends Series, remember: wisdom does not come from knowing every answer. It begins with the courage to wonder, to challenge, and to learn.