We read that Crates the Philosopher Cinicke in respect of the manifold
discommodities of mans life, held opinion that it was best for man neuer
to haue bene borne or soone after to dye, [Optimum non nasci vel cito
mori] of whom certaine verses are left written in Greeke which I haue
Englished, thus.
  What life is the liefest? the needy is full of woe and awe,
  The wealthie full of brawle and brabbles of the law: 
  To be a married man? how much art thou beguild,
  Seeking thy rest by carke, for houshold wife and child: 
  To till it is a toyle, to grase some honest gaine,
  But such as gotten is with great hazard and paine: 
  The sayler of his shippe, the marchant of his ware,
  The souldier in armes, how full of dread and care? 
  A shrewd wife brings thee bate, wiue not and neuer thriue,
  Children a charge, childlesse the greatest lacke aliue: 
  Youth witlesse is and fraile, age sicklie and forlorne,
  Then better to dye soone, or neuer to be borne.

Metrodorus the Philosopher Stoick was of a contrary opinion, reuersing
all the former suppositions against Crates, thus.
  What life list ye to lead? in good Citie and towne
  Is wonne both wit and wealth, Court gets vs great renowne,
  Countrey keepes vs in heale, and quietnesse of mynd,
  Where holesome aires and exercise and pretie sports we find: 
  Traffick it turnes to gaine, by land and eke by seas,
  The land-borned liues safe, the forriene at his ease: 
  Housholder hath his home, the roge romes with delight,
  And makes moe merry meales, then dothe the Lordly wight: 
  Wed and thost hast a bed, of solace and of ioy,
  Wed not and haue a bed, of rest without annoy: 
  The setled loue is safe, sweete is the loue at large,
  Children they are a store, no children are no charge,
  Lustie and gay is youth, old age honourd and wise: 
  Then not to dye or be unborne, is best in myne aduise.