The Crito is a short dialogue by Plato, set in the prison where Socrates awaits execution. His wealthy friend Crito urges him to escape into exile; Socrates refuses. He reasons that one must never act unjustly — even in return for an injustice suffered — and that fleeing would wrong the laws of Athens that gave him birth, upbringing, and a lifetime of benefit. A citizen who freely remains, he argues, has agreed to obey the city's judgments or persuade it otherwise, and a just life matters more than mere survival.
Original summary for this showcase, informed by public sources including Wikipedia.
Read more: Crito on Wikipedia · Full text: Crito at Wikisource