[Perndog]

In Augustine's day, people were stronger in their convictions and not so easily beset by depression - they led harder lives in general than we do now, so there were not a lot of things that could drive people into suicidal depression. Suicide was (and is) a sin to the Christians, and fear of God could have kept many alive.

I think Augustine wasn't making a universal point, it sounds to me like he saw life as such a great thing that even in the shoes of the most miserable person he would not choose death. It seems like a subjective matter to me; whoever does not have a strong conviction against suicide or a strong admiration for life is capable of suicide, while one who does possess those convictions is not.

I disagree with the last quote, as well. And in no way does intelligence ensure that Augustine is right or even close about anything - Galileo was damn smart, too, but many of his theories got thrown out the window by his successors.