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Who doubting tyranny, and fainting under
Fortune's false lottery, desperately run
To death, for dread of death; that soul's most stout,
That, bearing all mischance, dares last it out.
Author: Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher
Source: The Honest Man's Fortune (act IV, sc. 1)
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The common damn'd shun their society.
Author: Robert Blair
Source: The Grave, referring to suicides in Hell, attributed to Lamb but not found in his works
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But if there be an hereafter,
And that there is, conscience, uninfluenc'd
And suffer'd to speak out, tells every man,
Then must it be an awful thing to die;
More horrid yet to die by one's own hand.
Author: Robert Blair
Source: The Grave (l. 398)
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Our time is fixed, and all our days are number'd;
How long, how short, we know not:--this we know,
Duty requires we calmly wait the summons,
Nor dare to stir till Heaven shall give permission.
Author: Robert Blair
Source: The Grave (l. 417)
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The beasts (Conservatives) had committed suicide to save
themselves from slaughter.
Author: John Bright
Source: in a speech at Birmingham, England
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Fool! I mean not
That poor-souled piece of heroism, self-slaughter;
Oh no! the miserablest day we live
There's many a better thing to do than die!
Author: George Darley
Source: Ethelstan
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If suicide be supposed a crime, it is only cowardice can impel us
to it. If it be no crime, both prudence and courage should
engage us to rid ourselves at once of existence when it becomes a
burden. It is the only way that we can then be useful to
society, by setting an example which, if imitated, would preserve
every one his chance for happiness in life, and would effectually
free him from all danger or misery.
Author: David Hume
Source: Essay on Suicide
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While foulest fiends shun thy society.
Author: Nathaniel Lee
Source: Rival Queens (V, I, 86)
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Ah, yes, the sea is still and deep,
All things within its bosom sleep!
A single step, and all is o'er,
A plunge, a bubble, and no more.
Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Source: Christus--The Golden Legend (pt. V)
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When Fannius from his foe did fly
Himself with his own hands he slew;
Who e'er a greater madness knew?
Life to destroy for fear to die.
Author: Marcus Valerius Martial
Source: Epigrams (bk. II, 80)
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He
That kills himself to avoid misery, fears it,
And, at the best, shows but a bastard valour.
This life's a fort committed to my trust,
Which I must not yield up, till it be forced:
Nor will I. He's not valiant that dares die,
But he that boldly bears calamity.
Author: Philip Massinger
Source: Maid of Honour (act IV, sc. 3)
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If you like not hanging, drown yourself;
Take some course for your reputation.
Author: Philip Massinger
Source: New Way to pay Old Debts (act II, sc. 1)
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Bravest at the last,
She levelled at our purposes, and being royal,
Took her own way.
Author: William Shakespeare
Source: Antony and Cleopatra (Octavius Caesar at V, ii)
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Against self-slaughter
There is a prohibition so divine
That cravens my weak hand.
Author: William Shakespeare
Source: Cymbeline (Imogen at III, iv)
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For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th' unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin?
Author: William Shakespeare
Source: Hamlet Prince of Denmark (Hamlet at III, i)
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And the more pity that great folk should have count'nance in this
world to drown or hang themselves more than their even-Christen.
Author: William Shakespeare
Source: Hamlet Prince of Denmark (Clown at V, i)
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Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
Author: William Shakespeare
Source: Julius Caesar (Casca at III, i)
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You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me;
Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
To die before you please.
Author: William Shakespeare
Source: King Lear (Gloucester at IV, vi)
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There is no refuge from confession but suicide; and suicide is
confession.
Author: Daniel Webster
Source: Argument on the Murder of Captain White
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Britannia's shame! There took her gloomy flight,
On wing impetuous, a black sullen soul . . .
Less base the fear of death than fear of life.
O Britain! infamous for suicide.
Author: Edward Young
Source: Night Thoughts (night V, l. 436)
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