According to Socrates, the oracle’s statement about him means that “human wisdom is worth little or nothing” (23a). Yet Socrates also insists that “there is no greater blessing for the city than my service to the god” (30a). These two claims seem obviously incompatible. How, then, might they be reconciled? That is, what is the nature of Socrates’ wisdom such that it is simultaneously “worthless” and yet also the greatest possible benefit to the city?
