Their wisdom speaketh thus: “A fool, he who remaineth alive; but so far are we fools! And that is the foolishest thing in life!”

“Life is only suffering”: so say others, and lie not. Then see to it that ye cease! See to it that the life ceaseth which is only suffering!

And let this be the teaching of your virtue: “Thou shalt slay thyself! Thou shalt steal away from thyself!”⁠—

“Lust is sin,”⁠—so say some who preach death⁠—“let us go apart and beget no children!”

“Giving birth is troublesome,”⁠—say others⁠—“why still give birth? One beareth only the unfortunate!” And they also are preachers of death.

“Pity is necessary,”⁠—so saith a third party. “Take what I have! Take what I am! So much less doth life bind me!”