18.
You are afraid of death; but how can you scorn it in the midst of a mushroom supper?
You wish to live; well, do you know how to live?
You are afraid to die.
But come now: is this life of yours anything but death?
Gaius Caesar was passing along the Via Latina, when a man stepped out from the ranks of the prisoners, his grey beard hanging down even to his breast, and begged to be put to death. “What!” said Caesar, “are you alive now?” That is the answer which should be given to men to whom death would come as a relief. “You are afraid to die; what! are you alive now?”
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 18
Content:
18.
You are afraid of death; but how can you scorn it in the midst of a mushroom supper?
You wish to live; well, do you know how to live?
You are afraid to die.
But come now: is this life of yours anything but death?
Gaius Caesar was passing along the Via Latina, when a man stepped out from the ranks of the prisoners, his grey beard hanging down even to his breast, and begged to be put to death. “What!” said Caesar, “are you alive now?” That is the answer which should be given to men to whom death would come as a relief. “You are afraid to die; what! are you alive now?”