Chaerephon

Chaerephon was both a friend and close follower of Socrates. Politically, he was a supporter of Athenian democracy and, as a result, suffered persecution when the democracy was temporarily deposed after the defeat of Athens at the hands of Sparta. By the time of Socrates' trial Chaerephon was no longer living. Given that Plato and Xenophon both report the story of the Delphic oracle's pronouncement and that many at the trial would have known if the story wasn't true we have little reason to doubt it. All of this of course sets the stage for Socrates' irony. He denies he is wise but it is quite obvious he "knows" much more than most folks! How is all this to be reconciled? Socrates is wise only in the sense that he fully understands the limits of his "knowledge."