Socrates strength lay in teaching and practicing an art of living that has come to be known as philosophy: there is a distinct before and after Socrates. His philosophy is vibrant and deeply human, inviting one to discover happiness step by step, by learning from lifes crises, mastering the art of inner dialogue, and taking control of ones life through a selfimprovement method that remains relevant even after 2,500 years. Socrates serenity, which made him remarkably free in the face of circumstances, inspires all those seeking a path to the essential.