Schopenhauer on Suicide

He writes that the first human right is that on his own life & person, preceding the commonly accepted right to Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness. Regarding the laws against suicide, they are ridiculous, for what penalty can frighten a person, who is not afraid of death itself? 

Pliny says, "Life is not so desirable a thing as to be protracted at any cost. The greatest blessing Nature has given to mankind is an opportune death. And the best of it is that everyone can avail of it."

Stobaeus says " The good man should flee life when his misfortunes become too great." Seneca had the strongest approval of it. David Hume's "Essay on Suicide" was so rational & convincing, that it was proscribed.  

In the Hindu epic, "Mahabharat", Dronacharya, the teacher of the art of archery to both Kauravas & Pandavas is supposed to have prayed for an easy death & a life without cringing to others. "Anayasena maranam vina dainyena jivanam, dehi me krupaya Shambho."

In Jainism, "Sallekana" or fasting unto death is an honourable way of quitting this world. Vinoba Bhave, though born a Hindu Brahmin, ended his life by this way. He was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna.

If an Angelina Jolie with 87% chance of developing malignancy, could undergo preventive double mastectomy, why elderly with 100% chance of developing humiliating  dependencies (vina dainyena jeevanam) should not opt for physician assisted suicide?

Fortunately the following really enlightened countries have made this legal. Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Luxemburg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland & parts of Australia & United States of America. Let their tribe increase.