<P> The unexamined life is not worth living (Ancient Greek: ὁ...ἀνεξέταστος βίος οὐ βιωτὸς ἀνθρώπῳ) is a famous dictum apparently uttered by Socrates at his trial for impiety and corrupting youth, for which he was subsequently sentenced to death, as described in Plato's Apology (38a5 - 6). </P> <P> This statement relates to Socrates' understanding and attitude towards death and his commitment to fulfill his goal of investigating and understanding the statement of the Pythia . Socrates understood the Pythia's response to Chaerephon's question as a communication from the god Apollo and this became Socrates's prime directive, his raison d'etre . For Socrates, to be separated from elenchus by exile (preventing him from investigating the statement) was therefore a fate worse than death . Since Socrates was religious and trusted his religious experiences, such as his guiding daimonic voice, he accordingly preferred to continue to seek the true answer to his question, in the after - life, than live a life not identifying the answer on earth . </P>

Who said a life unexamined is not worth living