Of all the fools of the world's training

Was it not that excellent hero, Achilles, who in Hades exclaimed mournfully, he would rather be the most miserable man on earth than king of the realm below? This is but the wisdom of the Greeks, but how true!—how true! I too would far rather spend my days upon earth amid the most overwhelming difficulties, battling with care, want, or suffering, than occupy any favoured position here, be it of king or epicure. Of all the fools of the world's training he, surely, is greatest who takes away his own life, thinking that he could never be worse off than he is. In sooth, whatever a man's earthly lot may be, be sure it may be a paradise to what he goes to meet. He may find himself yearning for the misery he quitted; indeed, if you could give him back that misery tenfold, he would seize it eagerly and bless you for the gift.

Letters from Hell, L. W. J. S., Richard Bentley & Son, London, 1889