Hong Kong
Rizal decides to return to the Philippines — The persecution of the innocent preoccupies him — He would like to save them from further suffering — Willing to risk his life — “Man ought to die for his ideas and convictions.” — “What am I? Only one man, almost without a family, quite disenchanted with life.”
* * *.
TO MY DEAR PARENTS, BROTHERS, AND FRIENDS:
The love that I have always professed you has induced me to take this step which only the future can say if it is sensible or not. Success judges things according to their consequences; but whether favorable or unfavorable, it will always be said that my duty has dictated it to me, and it does not matter should I die in its fulfillment.
I know that I have made you suffer greatly but I am not repenting of what I have done, and if I had to begin anew, I would again do the same thing that I did, because that is my duty. Gladly I depart to expose myself to danger, not to atone for my faults (for on this point I do not believe I have committed any), but to finish my work and to confirm with my example what I have always preached.
Man ought to die for his duty and his convictions. I maintain all the ideas that I have expressed concerning the state and the future of my country, and I will die gladly for her, and nay, to obtain justice and tranquility for you.
I risk my life with pleasure to save so many innocent persons, so many nephews, so many children of friends and not friends, who are suffering because of me. What am I? Only one man, almost without a family, quite disenchanted with life. I have had many deceptions, and my future is dark, and it will be very dark if it is not illumined by the light, the dawn, of my native land. Whereas there are so many beings full of hope and fancies who perhaps may all be happy with my death which I hope will satisfy my enemies, and they will no longer persecute so many innocent persons. Until a certain point their hatred of me is justified, not however with respect to my parents and relatives.
If luck is against me, let everybody know that I will die happy with the thought that my death has ended all their bitterness. Return to our native land and be happy there.
Until the last moment of my life I will think of you and wish you all kinds of happiness.
JOSÉ RIZAL
04-750 [Misc.]