To the Filipinos

The letters were translated from the Spanish by Dr. Frank C. Laubach and are found in his biography of Rizal, Rizal: Man and Martyr, in chapter 12, "Hong Kong."

Taken from:

http://joserizal.info/Biography/man_and_martyr/chapter12.htm

Note:  These two letters were composed on 28 June 1892

1.  "Parents, Brother, Sisters, and Friends,

"The love which I have always professed for you was what dictated this step, which the future alone will be able to say was or was not wise. Destiny judges acts by their consequences; but whether these be favorable or unfavorable, it will always be said that my duty has commanded me, and if I perish in obeying it, it will not matter.

"I know that you have had to suffer much, but I do not regret what I have done, and if now I had to commence again I would do the same as I have done, because it was my duty. I am going willingly to expose myself to danger, not as an expiation for my faults (for in this matter I do not think I have committed any) but to crown my work and to attest with my example what I have always preached.

"A man ought to die for his duty and his convictions. I hold to all the ideas which I have published concerning the state and future of my country, and I shall die willingly for her, and even more willingly for to procure justice and tranquility for you all.

"I risk my life with gladness to save so many innocent, so many nephews and nieces, so many children who suffer for me.

"What am I? A single man, nearly without a family, and sufficiently disillusioned about life. I have been deceived many times, while the future which lies before me is dark, and would be darker if it were not illumined by the light, the dawn of my country. Meanwhile, there are many persons who, full of hopes and dreams, may perhaps be wholly happy when I am dead; for I hope my enemies will be satisfied and will no longer persecute so many innocent. Their hatred with respect to me is justifiable to a certain point, but not with respect to my parents and relatives.

"If fortune should go against me, they will all know that I die happy, thinking that with my death I have secured for them the end of all their misery. They will then be able to return to our country and be happy in it.

"Until the last instant of my life I will be thinking of you and will be hoping that you may have all good fortune and happiness.
 

José Rizal"

2.  To the Filipinos:

"The step which I have taken or which I am about to take is very hazardous, no doubt, and I need not say that I have thought much about it. I know that almost everybody is against it; but I know also that almost nobody knows what is going on in my heart. I cannot live knowing that many are suffering unjust persecutions on my account; I cannot live seeing my brother, sisters, and their numerous families pursued like criminals; I prefer to face death, and I gladly give my life to free so many innocents from such unjust persecution. I know that at present, the future of my country to some extent gravitates about me; that if I die, many will exult, and that therefore many are longing for my destruction. But what shall I do? I have duties to my conscience above all, I have obligations to the families which suffer, to my old parents, whose sighs pierce to my heart; I know that I alone, even with my death, am able to make them happy, permitting them to return to their native land and to the tranquility of their home. I have only my parents, but my country has many sons beside myself who are able to take my place and are already taking my place successfully.

"I desire, furthermore, to let those who deny our patriotism, see that we know how to die for our duty and for our convictions. "What matters death if one dies for what he loves, for his motherland, and the beings he adores?

"If I supposed that I was the only fulcrum for the policy of the Philippines, and if I were convinced that my fellow countrymen would utilize my services, perhaps I should hesitate to take this step; but there are still others who can, with advantage, take my place.

"I have always loved my poor motherland, and am sure I shall love her to the last moment, even though perhaps men are unjust to me; and my future, my life, my joys, all have been sacrificed for my love of her. Whatever my fate may be, I shall die blessing her and longing for the dawn of her redemption.

"Publish these letters after my death.

José Rizal"