By the mere bestowal of a name nothing is judged good or evil, apart from the deeds that fall under the name; for as far as our accused name goes, we are most excellent men. But since we do not think it just, on account of the name, to ask acquittal if we are convicted of evil, so likewise, if we are found to do no wrong either by reason of our designation or by our way of life, it is your concern to take heed lest, by unjustly punishing those who are not convicted, you incur the punishment of justice. For from a name there could not reasonably come either praise or punishment, unless something virtuous or base can be shown by deeds. Indeed, all who are accused before you, you do not punish before they are convicted; but in our case you take the name as a proof, though, so far as the name is concerned, you ought rather to punish the accusers. For we are accused of being Christians; but to hate what is excellent [Greek: chrēston, punning on 'Christian'] is not just. And again: if any of the accused denies, saying with his voice that he is not one, you release him, having nothing of which to convict him as an offender; but if anyone confesses that he is, you punish him on account of the confession—though you ought to examine the life both of him who confesses and of him who denies, so that by his deeds it may appear what each man is. For just as some, having received from Christ their teacher the instruction not to deny under examination, exhort others to this, in the same way perhaps those who live wickedly give occasion to others who choose to charge all Christians with impiety and injustice. Yet this too is done wrongly; for some who inscribe upon themselves the name and form of philosophy do nothing worthy of their profession—and you know that those of the ancients who held and taught the most contrary opinions are all called by the one name 'philosophers.' Some of these even taught atheism, and the poets who have lived proclaim Zeus to be licentious together with his children; yet those who follow such teachings are not restrained by you, but you bestow prizes and honors on those who eloquently revile these gods.