You talk of the duties of a magistrate, and of a father of a
family: and because you are not under those circumstances, you think
yourself absolutely free. And are you then under no obligations to
society, to whom you are indebted for your preservation, your
talents, your understanding? do you owe nothing to your native
country, and to those unhappy people who may need your existence! O
what an accurate calculation you make! among the obligations you
have enumerated, {103} you have only omitted those of a man and of a
citizen. Where is the virtuous patriot, who refused to enlist under
a foreign prince, because his blood ought not to be split but in the
service of his country; and who now, in a fit of despair, is ready
to shed it against the express prohibition of the laws? The laws,
the laws, young man! did any wise man ever despise them? Socrates,
though innocent, out of regard to them refused to quit his prison.
You do not scruple to violate them by quitting life unjustly; and
you ask, what injury do I?

     You endeavour to justify yourself by example. You presume to
mention the Romans: you talk of the Romans! it becomes you indeed to
cite those illustrious names. Tell me, did Brutus die a lover in
despair, and did Cato plunge the dagger in his breast for his
mistress? Thou weak and abject man! what resemblance is there
between Cato and thee? Shew me the common standard between that
sublime soul and thine. Ah vain wretch! hold thy peace: I am afraid
to profane {104} his name by a vindication of his conduct. At that
august and sacred name every friend to virtue should bow to the
ground, and honour the memory of the greatest hero in silence.

     How ill you have selected your examples, and how meanly you
judge of the Romans, if you imagine that they thought themselves at
liberty to quit life so soon as it became a burden to them. Recur to
the excellent days of that republic, and seen whether you will find
a single citizen of virtue, who thus freed himself from the
discharge of his duty even after the most cruel misfortunes. When
Regulus was on his return to Carthage, did he prevent the torments
which he knew were preparing for him by destroying himself? What
would not Posthumus have given, when obliged to pass under the yoke
at Caudium, had this resource been justifiable? How much did even
the senate admire that effort of courage, which enabled the consul
Varro to survive his defeat? For what reason did so many generals
voluntary surrender themselves to their enemies, they to whom
ignominy was so dreadful, {105} and who were so little afraid of
dying? It was because they considered their blood, their life, and
their latest breath, as devoted to their country; and neither shame
nor misfortune could dissuade them from this sacred duty. But when
the laws were subverted, and the state became a prey to tyranny, the
citizens resumed their natural liberty, and the right they had over
their own lives. When Rome was no more, it was lawful for the Romans
to give up their lives; they had discharged their duties on earth,
they had no longer any country to defend, they were therefore at
liberty to dispose of their lives, and to obtain that freedom for
themselves which they could not recover for their country. After
having spent their days in the service of expiring Rome, and in
fighting for the defence of its laws, they died great virtuous as
they had lived, and their death was an additional tribute to the
glory of the Roman name, since none of them beheld a fight above all
others most dishonourable, that of a true citizen stooping to an
usurper. {106}

     But thou, what art thou? what hast thou done? dost thou think
to excuse thyself on account of thy obscurity? does thy weakness
exempt thee from thy duty, and because thou hast neither rank nor
distinction in thy country, art thou less subject to the laws? It
becomes you vastly to presume to talk of dying while you owe the
service of your life to your equals. Know, that a death, such as you
meditate, is shameful and surreptitious. It is a theft committed on
mankind in general. Before you quit life, return the benefits you
have received from every individual. But, say you, I have no
attachments; I am useless in the world. O thou young philosopher!
art thou ignorant that thou canst not more a single step without
finding some duty to fulfil; and that every man is useful to
society, even by means of his existence alone?

     Hear me, thou rash young man! thou art dear to me. I
commiserate thy errors. If the least sense of virtue still remains
in thy breast, attend, and let me teach thee to be reconciled {107}
to life. Whenever thou art tempted to quit, say to thyself -- "Let
me do at least one good action before I die." Then go in search for
one in a state of indigence, whom thou mayest relieve; for one under
misfortunes, whom thou mayest comfort; for one under oppression,
whom thou mayest defend. Introduce to me those unhappy wretches whom
my rank keeps at a distance. Do not be afraid of misusing my purse,
or my credit: make free with them; distribute my fortune; make me
rich. If this consideration restrains you to-day, it will restrain
you to-morrow; if no to morrow, it will restrain you all your life.
If it has no power to restrain you, die! you are below my care.

                               FINIS.

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