15.
So near at hand is freedom, and is anyone still a slave?
Would you not rather have your own son die thus than reach old age by weakly yielding?
Why therefore are you distressed, when even a boy can die so bravely?
Suppose that you refuse to follow him; you will be led.
Take into your own control that which is now under the control of another.
Will you not borrow that boy’s courage, and say: “I am no slave!”?
Unhappy fellow, you are a slave to men, you are a slave to your business, you are a slave to life.
For life, if courage to die be lacking, is slavery.
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On taking one's own life
Location: Chapter 77, Section 15
Content:
15.
So near at hand is freedom, and is anyone still a slave?
Would you not rather have your own son die thus than reach old age by weakly yielding?
Why therefore are you distressed, when even a boy can die so bravely?
Suppose that you refuse to follow him; you will be led.
Take into your own control that which is now under the control of another.
Will you not borrow that boy’s courage, and say: “I am no slave!”?
Unhappy fellow, you are a slave to men, you are a slave to your business, you are a slave to life.
For life, if courage to die be lacking, is slavery.