本篇是富蘭克林在弟弟約翰逝世之後,寫給約翰第二任妻子與前夫所生的女儿赫伯德小姐的信。

一個人在死的那一刻才算得到真正的誕生。既然不朽的天堂誕生了一個新嬰兒,他們幸福的社會裡又增加了一名新的成員,我們為什麼還要悲傷呢?我們都是精靈。無比仁慈智慧的上帝行善施恩,賜予我們軀體,讓我們享受快樂的生活;幫助我們獲取知識,讓我們造福於人類。當我們的軀體無法適應這些目的 ― 不能提供給我們快樂,反而讓我們痛苦;不能給我們幫助,反而成為我們的累贅 ― 當它們無法完成上帝當初托付的使命時,依然恩惠仁慈的上帝準備了一個辦法,讓我們擺脫軀體。死亡是上帝所准備的解脫辦法。我們自己有時也會明智地選擇一種局部的死亡。受傷疼痛的手腳,已經無法復原,我們會心甘情願地把它切除。要拔牙的人,也會毅然跟它分手,因為拔掉之後痛苦就會隨之消失。一個人如果完全脫離軀殼,就會立刻解脫掉一切痛苦以及引起痛苦和疾病的根源。

我們的朋友和我們自己早就受到邀請去參加一次歡樂的宴會,這是一場永遠不散的宴會。他的坐席早已準備好了,所以他會先我們一步而去。我們不可能都很方便地一同前往;既然不久之後我們就要隨他而去,並且知道到哪裡可以找到他,那我們又為什麼因此傷心呢?

Philadelphia,

February 23, 1756.

I condole with you. We have lost a most dear and valuable relation. But it is the will of God and nature, that these mortal bodies be laid aside, when the soul is to enter into real life. This is rather an embryo state, a preparation for living.

A man is not completely born until he is dead. why then should we grieve, that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their happy society? We are spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us please, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes, and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of an aid become an encumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent, that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. Death is that way. We ourselves, in some cases, prudently choose a partial death. A mangled painful limb, which cannot be restored, we willingly cut off. He who plucks out a tooth, parts with it freely, since the pain goes with it; and he, who quits the whole body, parts at once with all pains and possibilities of pains and diseases which it was liable to, or capable of making him suffer.

Our friend and we were invited abroad on a party of pleasure, which is to last for ever. His chair was ready first, and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together; and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and know where to find him?

Adieu,

B. Franklin