Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/131

 lesser evil. This proves,  too,  the  absolute  universality of  Nature's  first  law,  "  preserve  thyself,"  for  self-destruction,  after  all,  is  but  a  mistaken  means  of  self-preservation. But how,  you  ask,  how  do  you  explain these words  of  Ecclesiasticus,  chapter  xxx.,  verse 17, "  Better  is  death  than  a  bitter  life,  and  everlasting death  than  continual  sickness "  ? Brethren, many things highly  desirable  in  themselves  become  evil when procured  by  unlawful  means. The death  of  a tyrant  is  a  popular  blessing,  but  his  assassination  a horrible  crime. Death is  often  a  happy  release,  but death in  the  order  of  Nature. A mother  may  wish her child's  death-agony  ended,  but  should  she strangle him  she  is  guilty  of  infanticide,  and  the  man who lays  violent  hands  on  himself  is,  as  we  have  said, more guilty  in  the  sight  of  God  than  the  most  atrocious murderer.

Brethren, besides  the  law  of  Nature,  there  is  also the law  of  society. Aristotle taught  that  the  citizens belonged to  the  state,  so  that  self-destruction  would be an  infringement  of  state  rights. Now, although no modern  government  holds  such  a  claim,  still  every well-ordered community  must  demand  a  practical  application of  the  precept,  "  Love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself." Still more,  as  regards  suicide,  I  firmly  believe a man  is  bound  to  love  his  fellowman  even  better than himself. To procure  one's  own  good,  or  apparent good,  by  means  that  is  sure  to  shock  and  scandalize the  community  is,  I  take  it,  unworthy  of  a Christian  and  a  man. St. Paul  was  the  ideal  citizen, and it  is  St.  Paul  who  says,  "  If  by  eating  meat  I  scan-