I have seen an intimate friend of mine run headlong upon death with a … — Essays
SAPIR 861
I have seen an intimate friend of mine run headlong upon death with a real affection, and that was rooted in his heart by divers plausible arguments which he would never permit me to dispossess him of, and upon the first honourable occasion that offered itself to him, precipitate himself into it, without any manner of visible reason, with an obstinate and ardent desire of dying. We have several examples in our own times of persons, even young children, who for fear of some little inconvenience have despatched themselves. And what shall we not fear, says one of the ancients--[Seneca, Ep., 70.]--to this purpose, if we dread that which cowardice itself has chosen for its refuge?
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