aliveintothehandsofthosewhoserelationshehasmangled。"Thoughhunger，sickness，andpoverty，thosedomesticplagues，moredreadfulthansavageenemies，mayallowawretchedcrippletoconsume，inasickbed，theprovisionsofafamilywhichcanscarcesubsistitself，yethewhohasnoconnections，whomheavenhasreducedtothenecessityoflivingalone，whosewretchedexistencecanproducenogood，whyshouldnothe，atleast，havetherightofquittingastation，wherehiscomplaintsaretroublesome，andhissufferingsofnobenefit？
Weightheseconsiderations，mylord；collectthesearguments，andyouwillfindthattheymaybereducedtothemostsimpleofnature’srights，ofwhichnomanofsenseeveryetentertainedadoubt。Infact，whyshouldwebeallowedtocureourselvesofthegout，andnottogetridofthemiseryoflife？donotbothevilsproceedfromthesamehand？towhatpurposeisittosay，thatdeathispainful？aredrugsagreeabletobetaken？no，naturerevoltsagainstboth。Letthemprovetherefore{82}thatitismorejustifiabletocureatransientdisorderbytheapplicationofremedies，thantofreeourselvesfromanincurableevilbyputtinganendtoourlife；andletthemshewhowitcanbelesscriminaltousethebarkforafever，thantotakeopiumforthestone。Ifweconsidertheobjectinview，itisinbothcasestofreeourselvesfrompainfulsensations；ifweregardthemeans，bothoneandtheotherareequallynatural；ifweconsidertherepugnanceofournature，itoperatesequallyonbothsides；ifweattendtothewillofprovidence，canwestruggleagainstanyevilofwhichitisnottheauthorcanwedeliverourselvesfromanytormentwhichthehandofGodhasnotinflicted？whataretheboundswhichlimithispower，andwhenresistancelawful？arewethentomakenoalterationintheconditionofthings，becauseeverythingisinthestateheappointed？mustwedonothinginthislife，forfearofinfringinghislaws，orisitinourpowertobreakthemifwewould？no，mylord，theoccupationofmanismoregreatandnoble。Goddidnotgivehimlifethatheshouldsupinely{83}remaininastateofconstantinactivity。Buthegavehimfreedomtoact，consciencetowill，andreasontochoosewhatisgood。Hehasconstitutedhimsolejudgeofallhisactions。Hehasengravedthispreceptinhisheart，Dowhateveryouconceivetobeforyourowngood，providedyoutherebydonoinjurytoothers。
Ifmysensationstellmethatdeathiseligible，I
resisthisordersbyanobstinateresolutiontolive；for，bymakingdeathdesirable，hedirectsmetoputanendtomybeing。
Mylord，Iappealtoyourwisdomandcandour；
whatmoreinfalliblemaximscanreasondeducefromreligion，withrespecttosuicide？IfChristianshaveadoptedcontrarytenets，theyareneitherdrawnfromtheprinciplesofreligion，norfromtheonlysureguide，theScriptures，butborrowedfromthePaganphilosophers。LactantiusandAugustine，thefirstwhopropagatedthisnewdoctrine，ofwhichJesusChristandhisapostlestakenonotice，groundtheirargumentsentirelyonthereasoningofPhaedo，whichIhavealready{84}controverted；sothatthebelievers，who，inthisrespect，thinktheyaresupportedbytheauthorityoftheGospel，areinfactonlycountenancedbytheauthorityofPlato。Intruth，wheredowefind，throughoutthewholebibleanylawagainstsuicide，orsomuchasabaredisapprobationofit；andisitnotveryunaccountable，thatamongtheinstancesproducedofpersonswhodevotedthemselvestodeath，wedonotfindtheleastwordofimprobationagainstexamplesofthiskind？nay，whatismore，theinstanceofSamson’svoluntarydeathisauthorizedbyamiracle，bywhichherevengeshimselfofhisenemies。Wouldthismiraclehavebeendisplayedtojustifyacrime；
andwouldthisman，wholosthisstrengthbysufferinghimselftobeseducedbytheallurementsofawoman，haverecoveredittocommitanauthorisedcrime，asifGodhimselfwouldpracticedeceitonmen？
Thoushaltdonomurder，saysthedecalogue；
whatarewetoinferfromthis？ifthiscommandmentistobetakenliterally，we{85}mustnotdestroymalefactors，norourenemies：
andMoses，whoputsomanypeopletodeath，wasabadinterpreterofhisownprecept。Ifthereareanyexceptions，certainlythefirstmustbeinfavourofsuicide，becauseitisexemptfromanydegreeofviolenceandinjustice，thetwoonlycircumstanceswhichcanmakehomicidecriminal；andbecausenature，moreover，has，inthisrespect，thrownsufficientobstaclesintheway。
Butstilltheytellus，wemustpatientlyenduretheevilswhichGodinflicts，andmakeameritofoursufferings。
ThisapplicationhoweverofthemaximsofChristianity，isveryillcalculatedtosatisfyourjudgment。Manissubjecttoathousandtroubles，hislifeisacomplicationofevils，andheseemstohavebeenbornonlytosuffer。Reasondirectshimtoshunasmanyoftheseevilsashecanavoid；andreligion，whichisneverincontradictiontoreason，approvesofhisendeavours。Buthowinconsiderableistheaccountoftheseevils，incomparisonwiththoseheisobligedtoendureagainsthiswill？Itiswith{86}respecttothese，thatamercifulGodallowsmantoclaimthemeritofresistance；hereceivesthetributehehasbeenpleasedtoimpose，asavoluntaryhomage，andheplacesourresignationinthislifetoourprofitinthenext。Truerepentanceisderivedfromnature；ifmanendureswhateverheisobligedtosuffer，hedoes，inthisrespect，allthatGodrequiresofhim；andifanyoneissoinflatedwithpride，astoattemptmore，heisamadman，whooughttobeconfined，oranimpostor，whooughttobepunished。Letus，therefore，withoutscruple，flyfromalltheevilswecanavoid；therewillstillbetoomanyleftforustoendure。Letus，withoutremorse，quitlifeitselfwhenitbecomesatormenttous，sinceitisinourownpowertodoit，andthatinsodoingweneitheroffendGodnorman。IfwewouldofferasacrificetothesupremeBeing，isitnothingtoundergodeath？letusdevotetoGodthatwhichhedemandsbythevoiceofreason，andintohishandsletuspeaceablysurrenderoursouls。
Sucharetheliberalpreceptswhichgood{87}
sensedictatestoeveryman，andwhichreligionauthorises。9Letusapplythesepreceptstoourselves。Youhavecondescendedtodiscloseyourmindtome；Iamacquaintedwithyouruneasiness；youdonotendurelessthanmyself；andyourtroubles，likemine，areincurable；andtheyarethemoreremediless，{88}asthelawsofhonouraremoreimmutablethanthoseoffortune。Youbearthem，Imustconfess，withfortitude。Virtuesupportsyou；advancebutonestepfarther，andshedisengagesyou。Youintreatmetosuffer；mylord，Idareimportuneyoutoputanendtoyoursufferings；
andIleaveyoutojudgewhichofusismostdeartotheother。
Whyshouldwedelaydoingthatwhichwemustdoatlast？shallwewaittilloldageanddecrepidbasenessattachustolife，aftertheyhaverobbeditofitscharms，andtillwearedoomedtodraganinfirmanddecrepidbodywithlabour，andignominy，andpain？Weareatanagewhenthesoulhasvigourtodisengageitselfwitheasefromitsshackles，andwhenamanknowshowtodieasheought；whenfartheradvancedinyears，hesuffershimselftobetornfromlife，whichhequitswithreluctance。Letustakeadvantageofthistime，whenthetediumoflifemakesdeathdesirable；andletustrembleforfearitshouldcomeinallitshorrors，atthemomentwhenwecouldwishtoavoidit。I
remember{89}thetime，whenIprayedtoheavenonlyforasinglehouroflife，andwhenIshouldhavediedindespairifithadnotbeengranted。Ah！whatapainitistoburstasunderthetieswhichattachourheartstothisworld，andhowadvisableitistoquitlifethemomenttheconnectionisbroken！
Iamsensible，mylord，thatwearebothworthyofapurermansion；virtuepointsitout，anddestinyinvitesustoseekit。Maythefriendshipwhichinvitesuspreserveouruniontothelatesthour！Owhatapleasurefortwosincerefriendsvoluntarytoendtheirdaysineachothersarms，tointermingletheirlatestbreath，andatthesameinstanttogiveupthesoulwhichtheysharedincommon！Whatpain，whatregretcaninfecttheirlastmoments？Whatdotheyquitbytakingleaveoftheworld？Theygotogether；theyquitnothing。{90}
LETTERCXV。ANSWER。
THOUartdistracted，myfriend，byafatalpassion；bemorediscreet；donotgivecounsel，whilstthoustandestsomuchinneedofadvice。Ihaveknowngreaterevilsthanyours。I
amarmedwithfortitudeofmind；IamanEnglishman，andnotafraidtodie；butIknowhowtoliveandsufferasbecomesaman。Ihaveseendeathnearathand，andhavevieweditwithtoomuchindifferencetogoinsearchofit。
Itistrue，Ithoughtyoumightbeofusetome；myaffectionstoodinneedofyours：yourendeavoursmighthavebeenserviceabletome；yourunderstandingmighthaveenlightenedmeinthemostimportantconcernofmylife；ifIdonotavailmyselfofit，whoareyoutoimputeitto？
Whereisit？What{91}isbecomeofit？Whatareyoucapableof？Ofwhatusecanyoubeinyourpresentcondition？WhatservicecanIexpectfromyou？Asenselessgriefrendersyoustupidandunconcerned。Thouartnoman；thouartnothing；
andifIdidnotconsiderwhatthoumightestbe，Icannotconceiveanythingmoreabject。
Thereisneedofnootherproofthanyourletteritself。FormerlyIcoulddiscoverinyougoodsenseandtruth。
Yoursentimentswerejust，yourreflectionsproper，andIlikedyounotonlyfromjudgmentbutchoice；forI
consideredyourinfluenceasanadditionalmotivetoexcitemetothestudyofwisdom。ButwhatdoIperceivenowintheargumentsofyourletter，withwhichyouappeartobesohighlysatisfied？Awretchedandperpetualsophistry，whichintheerroneousdeviationsofyourreasonshewsthedisorderofyourmind，andwhichIwouldnotstooptorefute，ifIdidnotcommiserateyourdelirium。{92}
Tosubvertallyourreasoningwithoneword，Iwouldonlyaskyouasinglequestion。YouwhobelieveintheexistenceofaGod，intheimmortalityofthesoul，andinthefreewillofman，yousurelycannotsupposethatanintelligentbeingisembodied，andstationedontheearthbyaccidentonly，toexist，tosuffer，andtodie。Itiscertainlymostprobablethatthelifeofmanisnotwithoutsomedesign，someend，somemoralobject。Iintreatyoutogivemeadirectanswertothispoint；afterwhichwewilldeliberatelyexamineyourletter，andyouwillblushtohavewrittenit。
Butletuswaveallgeneralmaxims，aboutwhichweoftenholdviolentdisputes，withoutadoptinganyoftheminpractice；forintheirapplicationswealwaysfindsomeparticularcircumstanceswhichmakessuchanalterationinthestateofthings，thateveryonethinkshimselfdispensedfromsubmittingtotheruleswhichheprescribestoothers；
anditiswellknown，thateverymanwhoestablishes{93}generalprinciplesdeemsthemobligatoryonalltheworld，himselfexcepted。Oncemoreletusspeaktoyouinparticular。
Youbelievethatyouhavearighttoputanendtoyourbeing。Yourproofisofaverysingularnature；"becauseIamdisposedtodie，sayyou，Ihavearighttodestroymyself。"Thisiscertainlyaveryconvenientargumentforvillainsofallkinds：theyoughttobeverythankfultoyouforthearmswithwhichyouhavefurnishedthem；therecanbenocrimes，which，accordingtoyourarguments，maynotbejustifiedbythetemptationtoperpetratethem；andassoonastheimpetuosityofpassionshallprevailoverthehorrorofguilt，theirdispositiontodoevilwillbeconsideredasarighttocommitit。
Isitlawfulforyouthereforetoquitlife？
Ishouldbegladtoknowwhetheryouhaveyetbeguntolive？what！
wasyouplacedhereonearthtodonothinginthisworld？didnotheavenwhenitgaveyouexistencegiveyousometaskoremployment？Ifyouhave{94}accomplishedyourday’sworkbeforeevening，restyourselffortheremainderoftheday；youhavearighttodoit；butletusseeyourwork。WhatanswerareyoupreparedtomakethesupremeJudge，whenhedemandsanaccountofyourtime？Tellme，whatcanyousaytohim？——Ihaveseducedavirtuousgirl：Ihaveforsakenafriendindistress。Thouunhappywretch！pointouttomethatjustmanwhocanboastthathehaslivedlongenough；letmelearnfromhiminwhatmannerIoughttohavespentmydaystobeatlibertytoquitlife。
Youenumeratetheevilsofhumannature。Youarenotashamedtoexhaustcommon-placetopics，whichhavebeenhackneyedoverahundredtimes；andyouconcludethatlifeisanevil。Butsearch，examineintotheorderofthings，andseewhetheryoucanfindanygoodwhichisnotintermingledwithevil。Doesitthereforefollowthatthereisnogoodintheuniverse，andcanyouconfoundwhatisinitsownnatureevil，withthatwhichisonlyanevilaccidentally？Youhave{95}confessedyourself，thatthetransitoryandpassivelifeofmanisofnoconsequence，andonlybearsrespecttomatterfromwhichhewillsoonbedisencumbered；
buthisactiveandmorallife，whichoughttohavemostinfluenceoverhisnature，consistsintheexerciseoffree-will。
Lifeisaneviltoawickedmaninprosperity，andablessingtoanhonestmanindistress：foritisnotitscasualmodification，butitsrelationtosomefinalobjectwhichmakesiteithergoodorbad。Afterall，whatarethesecrueltormentswhichforceyoutoabandonlife？doyouimagine，thatunderyouraffectedimpartialityintheenumerationoftheevilsofthislife，Ididnotdiscoverthatyouwasashamedtospeakofyourown？Trustme，anddonotatonceabandoneveryvirtue。Preserveatleastyourwontedsincerity，andspeakthusopenlytoyourfriend；
"Ihavelostallhopeofseducingamodestwoman，Iamoligedthereforetobeamanofvirtue；Ihadmuchratherdie。"
Youarewearyofliving；andyoutellme，thatlifeisanevil。Soonerorlateryouwill{96}receiveconsolation，andthenyouwillsaylifeisablessing。Youwillspeakwithmoretruth，thoughnotwithbetterreason；fornothingwillhavealteredbutyourself。Beginthealterationthenfromthisday；
and，sincealltheevilyoulamentisinthedispositionofyourmind，correctyourirregularappetites，anddonotsetyourhouseonfiretoavoidthetroubleofputtingitinorder。
Ienduremisery，sayyou：Isitinmypowertoavoidsuffering？Butthisischangingthestateofthequestion：
forthesubjectofenquiryis，notwhetheryousuffer，butwhetheryourlifeisanevil？Letusproceed。Youarewretched，younaturallyendeavourtoextricateyourselffrommisery。
Letusseewhether，forthatpurpose，itisnecessarytodie。
Letusforamomentexaminethenaturaltendencyoftheafflictionsofthemind，asindirectoppositiontotheevilsofthebody，thetwosubstancesbeingofcontrarynature。Thelatterbecomeworseandmoreinveteratethe{97}longertheycontinue，andatlengthutterlydestroythismortalmachine。Theformer，onthecontrary，beingonlyexternalandtransitorymodificationsofanimmortalanduncompoundedessence，areinsensiblyeffaced，andleavethemindinitsoriginalform，whichisnotsusceptibleofalteration。
Grief，disquietude，regret，anddespair，areevilsofshortduration，whichnevertakerootinthemind；andexperiencealwaysfalsifiesthatbitterreflection，whichmakesusimagineourmiserywillhavenoend。Iwillgofarther；Icannotimaginethattheviceswhichcontaminateus，aremoreinherentinournaturethanthetroublesweendure；Inotonlybelievethattheyperishwiththebodywhichgivesthembirth，butIthink，beyondalldoubt，thatalongerlifewouldbesufficienttoreformmankind，andthatmanyagesofyouthwouldteachusthatnothingispreferabletovirtue。
Howeverthismaybe，asthegreatestpartofourphysicalevilsareincessantlyencreasing，theacutepainsofthebody，whentheyareincurable，mayjustifyaman’sdestroyinghimself；
{98}forallhisfacultiesbeingdistractedwithpain，andtheevilbeingwithoutremedy，hehasnolongeranyuseeitherofhiswillorofhisreason；heceasestobeamanbeforeheisdead，anddoesnothingmoreintakingawayhislife，thanquitabodywhichincumbershim，andinwhichhissoulisnolongerresident。
Butitisotherwisewiththeafflictionsofthemind，which，letthembeeversoacute，alwayscarrytheirremedywiththem。Infact，whatisitthatmakesanyevilintolerable？Nothingbutitsduration。Theoperationsofsurgeryaregenerallymuchmorepainfulthanthedisorderstheycure；butthepainoccasionedbythelatterislasting，thatoftheoperationismomentary，andthereforepreferable。Whatoccasionistherethereforeforanyoperationtoremovetroubleswhichdieofcoursebytheirduration，theonlycircumstancewhichcouldrendertheminsupportable？Isitreasonabletoapplysuchdesperateremediestoevilswhichexpireofthemselves？Toamanwhovalueshimselfonhisfortitude，{99}andwhoestimatesyearsattheirrealvalue，oftwowaysbywhichhemayextricatehimselffromthesametroubles，whichwillappearpreferable，deathortime？Havepatience，andyouwillbecured。Whatwouldyoudesiremore？
Oh！youwillsay，itdoublesmyafflictionstoreflectthattheywillceaseatlast！Thisisthevainsophistryofgrief！anapophthegmvoidofreason，ofpropriety，andperhapsofsincerity。
Whatanabsurdmotiveofdespairisthehopeofterminatingmisery！10Evenallowingthisfantasticalreflection，whowouldnotchusetoencreasethepresentpainforamoment，undertheassuranceofputtinganendtoit，aswescarifyawoundinordertohealit？andadmittinganycharmingrief，tomakeusinlovewithsuffering，{100}
whenwereleaseourselvesfromitbyputtinganendtoourbeing，dowenotatthatinstantincurallthatweapprehendhereafter？
Reflectthoroughly，youngman；whatareten，twenty，thirtyyears，incompetitionwithimmortality？Painandpleasurepasslikeashadow；lifeslidesawayinaninstant；itisnothingofitself；itsvaluedependsontheusewemakeofit。Thegoodthatwehavedoneisallthatremains，anditisthatalonewhichmarksitsimportance。
Thereforedonotsayanymorethatyourexistenceisanevil，sinceitdependsuponyourselftomakeitablessing；andifitbeaneviltohavelived，thisisanadditionalreasonforprolonginglife。Donotpretendneithertosayanymorethatyouareatlibertytodie；foritisasmuchastosaythatyouhavepowertoalteryournature，thatyouhavearighttorevoltagainsttheauthorofyourbeing，andtofrustratetheendofyourexistence。Butwhenyouadd，thatyourdeathdoesinjuryto{101}noone，doyourecollectthatyoumakethisdeclarationtoyourfriend？
Yourdeathdoesinjurytonoone？Iunderstandyou！YouthinkthelossIshallsustainbyyourdeathofnoimportance；youdeemmyafflictionofnoconsequence。Iwillurgetoyounomoretherightsoffriendship，whichyoudespise；butaretherenotobligationsstillmoredear，11whichoughttoinduceyoutopreserveyourlife？Iftherebeapersonintheworldwholovedyoutothatdegreeastobeunwillingtosurviveyou，andwhosehappinessdependsonyours，doyouthinkthatyouhavenoobligationstoher？Willnottheexecutionofyourwickeddesigndisturbthepeaceofamind，whichhasbeenwithsuchdifficultyrestoredtoitsformerinnocence？Arenotyouafraidtoaddfreshtormentstoaheartofsuchsensibility？Arenotyouapprehensiveleftyourdeathshouldbeattended{102}withalossmorefatal，whichwoulddeprivetheworldandvirtueitselfofitsbrightestornament？Andifsheshouldsurviveyou，arenotyouafraidtorouseupremorseinherbosom，whichismoregrievoustosupportthanlifeitself？Thouungratefulfriend！thouindelicatelover！wiltthoualwaysbetakenupwhollywiththyself？Wiltthoualwaysthinkonthyowntroublesalone？Hastthounoregardforthehappinessofonewhowassodeartothee？andcannotthouresolvetoliveforherwhowaswillingtodiewiththee？
Youtalkofthedutiesofamagistrate，andofafatherofafamily：andbecauseyouarenotunderthosecircumstances，youthinkyourselfabsolutelyfree。Andareyouthenundernoobligationstosociety，towhomyouareindebtedforyourpreservation，yourtalents，yourunderstanding？doyouowenothingtoyournativecountry，andtothoseunhappypeoplewhomayneedyourexistence！Owhatanaccuratecalculationyoumake！amongtheobligationsyouhaveenumerated，{103}youhaveonlyomittedthoseofamanandofacitizen。Whereisthevirtuouspatriot，whorefusedtoenlistunderaforeignprince，becausehisbloodoughtnottobesplitbutintheserviceofhiscountry；andwhonow，inafitofdespair，isreadytosheditagainsttheexpressprohibitionofthelaws？Thelaws，thelaws，youngman！didanywisemaneverdespisethem？Socrates，thoughinnocent，outofregardtothemrefusedtoquithisprison。Youdonotscrupletoviolatethembyquittinglifeunjustly；andyouask，whatinjurydoI？
Youendeavourtojustifyyourselfbyexample。
YoupresumetomentiontheRomans：youtalkoftheRomans！itbecomesyouindeedtocitethoseillustriousnames。Tellme，didBrutusdiealoverindespair，anddidCatoplungethedaggerinhisbreastforhismistress？Thouweakandabjectman！
whatresemblanceistherebetweenCatoandthee？Shewmethecommonstandardbetweenthatsublimesoulandthine。
Ahvainwretch！holdthypeace：Iamafraidtoprofane{104}hisnamebyavindicationofhisconduct。Atthataugustandsacrednameeveryfriendtovirtueshouldbowtotheground，andhonourthememoryofthegreatestheroinsilence。
Howillyouhaveselectedyourexamples，andhowmeanlyyoujudgeoftheRomans，ifyouimaginethattheythoughtthemselvesatlibertytoquitlifesosoonasitbecameaburdentothem。Recurtotheexcellentdaysofthatrepublic，andseenwhetheryouwillfindasinglecitizenofvirtue，whothusfreedhimselffromthedischargeofhisdutyevenafterthemostcruelmisfortunes。WhenReguluswasonhisreturntoCarthage，didhepreventthetormentswhichheknewwerepreparingforhimbydestroyinghimself？
WhatwouldnotPosthumushavegiven，whenobligedtopassundertheyokeatCaudium，hadthisresourcebeenjustifiable？
Howmuchdideventhesenateadmirethateffortofcourage，whichenabledtheconsulVarrotosurvivehisdefeat？Forwhatreasondidsomanygeneralsvoluntarysurrenderthemselvestotheirenemies，theytowhomignominywassodreadful，{105}andwhoweresolittleafraidofdying？Itwasbecausetheyconsideredtheirblood，theirlife，andtheirlatestbreath，asdevotedtotheircountry；andneithershamenormisfortunecoulddissuadethemfromthissacredduty。Butwhenthelawsweresubverted，andthestatebecameapreytotyranny，thecitizensresumedtheirnaturalliberty，andtherighttheyhadovertheirownlives。WhenRomewasnomore，itwaslawfulfortheRomanstogiveuptheirlives；theyhaddischargedtheirdutiesonearth，theyhadnolongeranycountrytodefend，theywerethereforeatlibertytodisposeoftheirlives，andtoobtainthatfreedomforthemselveswhichtheycouldnotrecoverfortheircountry。AfterhavingspenttheirdaysintheserviceofexpiringRome，andinfightingforthedefenceofitslaws，theydiedgreatvirtuousastheyhadlived，andtheirdeathwasanadditionaltributetothegloryoftheRomanname，sincenoneofthembeheldafightaboveallothersmostdishonourable，thatofatruecitizenstoopingtoanusurper。{106}
Butthou，whatartthou？whathastthoudone？
dostthouthinktoexcusethyselfonaccountofthyobscurity？
doesthyweaknessexempttheefromthyduty，andbecausethouhastneitherranknordistinctioninthycountry，artthoulesssubjecttothelaws？Itbecomesyouvastlytopresumetotalkofdyingwhileyouowetheserviceofyourlifetoyourequals。Know，thatadeath，suchasyoumeditate，isshamefulandsurreptitious。Itisatheftcommittedonmankindingeneral。Beforeyouquitlife，returnthebenefitsyouhavereceivedfromeveryindividual。But，sayyou，I
havenoattachments；Iamuselessintheworld。Othouyoungphilosopher！
artthouignorantthatthoucanstnotmoreasinglestepwithoutfindingsomedutytofulfil；andthateverymanisusefultosociety，evenbymeansofhisexistencealone？
Hearme，thourashyoungman！thouartdeartome。Icommiseratethyerrors。Iftheleastsenseofvirtuestillremainsinthybreast，attend，andletmeteachtheetobereconciled{107}tolife。Wheneverthouarttemptedtoquit，saytothyself——"LetmedoatleastonegoodactionbeforeIdie。"Thengoinsearchforoneinastateofindigence，whomthoumayestrelieve；foroneundermisfortunes，whomthoumayestcomfort；foroneunderoppression，whomthoumayestdefend。Introducetomethoseunhappywretcheswhommyrankkeepsatadistance。
Donotbeafraidofmisusingmypurse，ormycredit：makefreewiththem；distributemyfortune；makemerich。Ifthisconsiderationrestrainsyouto-day，itwillrestrainyouto-morrow；
ifnotomorrow，itwillrestrainyouallyourlife。
Ifithasnopowertorestrainyou，die！youarebelowmycare。
FINIS。
Notes2DeDivin。lib。ii。
3AgamusDieGratias，quadnemoinvitateneripotest。SEN。Epist。12。
4TACIT。Ann。libi。
5ITwouldbeeasytoprovethatsuicideisaslawfulundertheChristiandispensationasitwastotheHeathens。
Thereisnotasingletextofscripturewhichprohibitsit。Thatgreatandinfallibleruleoffaithandpracticewhichmustcontroulallphilosophyandhumanreasoning，hasleftusinthisparticulartoournaturalliberty。ResignationtoProvidenceisindeedrecommendedinscripture；butthatimpliesonlysubmissiontoillsthatareunavoidable，nottosuchasmayberemediedbyprudenceorcourage。Thoushaltnotkill，isevidentlymeanttoexcludeonlythekillingofothers，overwhoselifewehavenoauthority。Thatthisprecept，likemostofthescriptureprecepts，mustbemodifiedbyreasonandcommonsense，isplainfromthepracticeofmagistrates，whopunishcriminalscapitally，notwithstandingtheletterofthelaw。Butwerethiscommandmenteversoexpressagainstsuicide，itwouldnowhavenoauthority，forallthelawofMosesisabolished，exceptsofarasitisestablishedbythelawofnature。Andwehavealreadyendeavouredtoprovethatsuicideisnotprohibitedbythatlaw。InallcasesChristiansandHeathensarepreciselyuponthesamefooting；CatoandBrutus，ArreaandPortiaactedheroically；thosewhonowimitatetheirexampleoughttoreceivethesamepraisesfromposterity。ThepowerofcommittingsuicideisregardedbyPlinyasanadvantagewhichmenpossessevenabovetheDeityhimself。"Deusnonsibipotestmortemconscisceresivelitquodhominideditoptimumintantisvitaepaenis。"Lib。II。Cap。7。
（[editor’snote]5）
6Quint。Curtiuslib。VI。cap。5。
7Suet。Augus。cap。3。
8Lib。7。cap。55。
9Astrangeletterthisforthediscussionofsuchasubject！Domenarguesocoolyonaquestionofthisnature，whentheyexamineitontheirownaccounts？Istheletteraforgery，ordoestheauthorreasononlywithanintenttoberefuted？Whatmakesouropinioninthisparticulardubious，istheexampleofRobeck，whichhecites，andwhichseemstowarranthisown。Robeckdeliberatedsogravelythathehadpatiencetowriteabook，alarge，voluminous，weighty，anddispassionatebook；andwhenhehadconcluded，accordingtohisprinciples，thatitwaslawfultoputanendtoourbeing，hedestroyedhimselfwiththesamecomposurethathewrote。Letusbewareoftheprejudicesofthetimes，andofparticularcountries。Whensuicideisoutoffashionweconcludethatnonebutmadmendestroythemselves；andalltheeffortsofcourageappearchimericaltodastardlyminds；everyonejudgesofothersbyhimself。Nevertheless，howmanyinstancesarethere，wellattested，ofmen，ineveryotherrespectperfectlydiscreet，who，withoutremorse，rage，ordespair，havequittedlifefornootherreasonthanbecauseitwasaburdentothem，andhavediedwithmorecomposurethantheylived？
10No，mylord，wedonotputanendtomiserybythesemeans，butratherfillthemeasureofaffliction，byburstingasunderthelasttieswhichattachustofelicity。Whenweregretwhatwasdeartous，griefitselfstillattachesustotheobjectwelament，whichisastatelessdeplorablethantobeattachedtonothing。
11Obligationsmoredearthanthoseoffriendship！
Isitaphilosopherwhotalksthus？Butthisaffectedsophistwasofanamorousdisposition。