Suicide is divine calling.

The Socrates of Xenophon states, “God in his kindness may even have my interests at heart and be arranging for me to be released from life not only at exactly the right age, but also in the easiest way possible.”[1]

Plato’s Socrates concurs, stating: “What has happened to me now has not happened of itself, but it is clear to me that it was better for me to die now and to escape from trouble. That is why my divine sign did not oppose me at any point.”[2]

After stumbling and breaking his toe, Zeno is said to have exclaims, “I come, I come, why do you call me?” He then suffocates by holding his breath.[3]

< § >

—
[1] Xenophon, “Socrates’ Defense,” in Conversations of Socrates.
[2] Plato, Apology 41d
[3] Droge and Tabor, 31.