Michel de Montaigne

“ That when our life affords more evill than good, it is then time to die: and to preserve our life to our torment and incommoditie, is to spurre and shocke the very rules of nature: as say the old rules. ”

“ Or live without distresse, Or die with happinesse. Καλον το θνησκειν οις υβριν το ζην φερει --Ibid. Tis good for them to die, Whom life brings infamie. Κρεισσν το μη ζην εοτιν, η ζην αθλιως -- Soph. Stob. Ser. 118. 'Tis better not to live, Than wretchedly not thrive. ”

“ This man seemeth to endeere himselfe above others, in that at first sight he addresseth himselfe to this meane, which they never embrace but subsidiarily, and sithence it is towards his only daughter. But I will not omit the successe of this storie, although it be not to my purpose. ”