Suicide is a common consequence of money
losses; it is rarely sought as a means of escape from bodily
suffering. If we feel that we have a competence at our backs, so
that we can die warm and quietly in our beds, with no need to worry
about expense, we live our lives out to the dregs, no matter how
excruciating our torments. Job probably felt the loss of his flocks
and herds more than that of his wife and family, for he could enjoy
his flocks and herds without his family, but not his family- not for
long- if he had lost all his money. Loss of money indeed is not only
the worst pain in itself, but it is the parent of all others. Let a
man have been brought up to a moderate competence, and have no
specialty; then let his money be suddenly taken from him, and how long
is his health likely to survive the change in all his little ways
which loss of money will entail? How long again is the esteem and
sympathy of friends likely to survive ruin? People may be very sorry
for us, but their attitude towards us hitherto has been based upon the
supposition that we were situated thus or thus in money matters;
when this breaks down there must be a restatement of the social
problem so far as we are concerned; we have been obtaining esteem
under false pretences.
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