At my trial, when offered the chance to stop philosophizing in exchange for my life, I refused. "The unexamined life is not worth living," I declared. I would rather die than stop questioning.

What does it mean to examine one's life? It means not accepting things blindly—not your career, not your relationships, not your beliefs, not your values. It means asking yourself: Is this good? Is this true? Is this the right way to live?

Most people drift through life on autopilot, following the path of least resistance. They accumulate possessions without asking what makes life worth living. They chase success without defining it. They grow old without growing wise.

The examined life is different. It is a life of intentional reflection, where every choice is questioned and every belief is tested. It is difficult, but it is the only life worth living.