How do we know Socrates was really so great and special? Yes, he died nobly. Yes, he argued more cleverly with the Sophists. Yes, he endured the cold while keeping watch. Yes, when ordered to arrest innocent Salaminius, he refused with courage. But none of this proves anything. His enemies also said he walked the streets with too much pride and self-importance. We don't even know if that's true. And if it was true, we'd have to ask whether that was admirable or shameful.
How know we whether Socrates were so eminent indeed, and of so extraordinary a disposition? For that he died more gloriously, that he disputed with the Sophists more subtilty; that he watched in the frost more assiduously; that being commanded to fetch innocent Salaminius, he refused to do it more generously; all this will not serve. Nor that he walked in the streets, with much gravity and majesty, as was objected unto him by his adversaries: which nevertheless a man may well doubt of, whether it were so or no, or, which above all the rest, if so be that it were true, a man would well consider of, whether commendable, or dis-commendable.