Final answer:
Socrates believed that a public figure might be forced to compromise on virtue and truth, whereas a private citizen can more easily adhere to their ethical principles and maintain integrity. His commitment to philosophical inquiry and a just life aligned with divine command could best be sustained in a private life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Socrates asserts that to fight for justice, one should live as a private citizen rather than a public figure because a public life may force one to compromise on virtue and truth. In his defense, as accounted in Plato's Apology, Socrates points out that living in public view often subjects individuals to the whims and opinions of the majority rather than the divine pursuit of wisdom. He emphasizes that his allegiance lies not with the mob but with a higher, divine command to seek truth and virtue, indicating that this mission cannot be hampered by the distractions and compromises required of a public persona.
Living privately allows Socrates to adhere strictly to his ethical principles without being swayed by popular opinion or political pressure. Communing with like-minded individuals who value justice, and not getting involved in the self-interested operations of politics, allows him to maintain integrity and personal virtue. His refusal to bend to the demands of society, even to save his own life, shows his unwavering commitment to living a life of philosophical inquiry, the exact nature of which would be impossible to sustain within the political sphere.