Socrates on “Foolish Wisdom” in Plato’s Apology

…Interestingly, one encounters similar language (wisdom, foolishness, knowledge) and ideas in the recording of Socrates’ trial in Plato’s Apology. Socrates is recorded as saying:

“I found that the men most in repute were all but the most foolish; and that others less esteemed were really wiser and better.”

“God only is wise…he intends to show that the wisdom of men is worth little or
nothing.”

“I am better off than he [who] knows nothing, and thinks that he knows; I neither know nor think that I know.”

In Socrates’/Plato’s view, true wisdom is found in acknowledging with humility that our human knowledge and wisdom is severely limited. One wonders whether Paul, who was a highly educated Jewish scholar, was acquainted with this writing since he uses such similar language in writing to the Corinthians, especially 1 Corinthians 1. Socrates is also recorded as saying “I say that to die is gain” (cf. Philippians 1:21, “to live is Christ and to die is gain”).