<p>26:25 <i>But Paul said: I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but speak words of truth and soberness</i>- Point blank disagreement with a powerful judge who is shouting at you isn't a smart thing to do. But Paul was there to witness, to seek to convert his judges, rather than to justify himself. If he were out for self-preservation, as are most men who stand in the dock, he would have let this accusation go unchallenged. But Paul is alluding to how he had been &quot;exceedingly mad&quot; before his conversion (:11); and now he was sane.</p>