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Quotation from Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals by Immanuel Kant
“if adversity and hopeless sorrow have completely taken away the relish for life; if the unfortunate one, strong in mind, indignant at his fate rather than desponding or dejected, wishes for death, and yet preserves his life without loving it- not from inclination or fear, but from duty- then his maxim has a moral worth”
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, First Section, trans. Thomas Kingsmill Abbott (1889)
Kant's example of self-preservation from duty when all inclination to live has gone, one of the book's most discussed passages for readers interested in depression and suicide.
Citation: "if adversity and hopeless sorrow have completely taken away the relish for life; if the unfortunate one, strong in mind, indignant at his fate rather than desponding or dejected, wishes for death, and yet preserves his life without loving it- not from inclination or fear, but from duty- then his maxim has a moral worth" — Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, First Section, trans. Thomas Kingsmill Abbott (1889). (id groundwork-of-the-metaphysics-of-morals-q3)
Portrait: Immanuel Kant - Gemaelde 2, Becker, Public domain.
