# Chapter XX: That Christians Have No Authority for Committing Suicide in Any Circumstances Whatever explained — The City of God

> Chapter companion for The City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

## What happens

Augustine argues that suicide is prohibited by the commandment 'Thou shalt not kill,' as it applies to all humans, including oneself, and that no biblical passage permits self-killing for any reason.

## Themes in this chapter

### Morality and Virtue vs. Pagan Corruption

Augustine uses biblical law to establish a moral prohibition against suicide, contrasting with pagan practices.

## Character check-ins

### Augustine

Author of the chapter, arguing against suicide based on biblical law.

### Holy Scripture

Cited as the source of the commandment 'Thou shalt not kill' and the principle of neighborly love.

## Key lines

> Thou shalt not kill.

The commandment forbids killing any human, including oneself.

_Augustine interprets the commandment as universal, with no exception for self-killing._

> Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Love for others is based on proper self-love, which prohibits self-harm.

_Used to argue that false witness against oneself is still a sin, and similarly suicide is self-murder._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xx
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters