Reason directs that those who are truly devout and philosophers should honor and cherish the truth alone, refusing to follow the opinions of the ancients if these are worthless. For sound reason directs not only that one should not follow those who have done or taught anything unjust, but that the lover of truth must by every means, even before his own life, choose to speak and do what is just, though death be threatened. You, indeed, are everywhere called devout and philosophers and guardians of justice and lovers of learning; whether you truly are such will be shown. For we have not come to flatter you by these writings, nor to address you so as to win favor, but to demand that judgment be passed according to strict and searching reason, not in a manner governed by prejudice or by a desire to please the superstitious, nor swayed by irrational impulse and an evil reputation long prevailing, so as to cast a vote against yourselves. For we are convinced that we can suffer no evil from anyone, unless we be convicted as workers of wickedness or proved to be base. You can indeed kill us, but you cannot harm us.