Speculum amatorum mundi

and what they were. Men they were, just as you are. They ate, they drank, and they laughed; they led their days in good things, and in a moment they descended into hell. Here their flesh is given over to worms, there their soul to eternal fires. What did vain glory, the brief joy of the world, the pleasure of the flesh, false riches, a great household, and evil concupiscence profit them? Where is the laughter, where is the joke, where is the boasting, where is the arrogance from such great joy? How much sadness followed such great pleasure! From that exultation, they fell into great ruin and great torments. Whatever happened to them can happen to you, because you are a man; man is of the earth, mud from mud, you are from the earth and live from the earth and will return to the earth when the last day comes, which will come suddenly, and perhaps it will be today. It is certain that you will die. It is uncertain, however, when, how, or where. And since death awaits you everywhere, you also, if you are wise, will await it everywhere. All these are the words of blessed Bernard. Hence Gregory: Nothing is more certain than death, and nothing more uncertain than the hour of death. From which, since you know you will die briefly, hold yourself always and in all events humbly, patiently, and prudently, as one dead, and say: These things do not move the dead, nor should they move you, whether prosperity or adversity, let each day be for you as the last. Ecclesiasticus 7: In all your works remember your last end, and you will never sin. Jerome: He easily despises all things who thinks he will die. And let these suffice concerning the memory of death. Now, returning to the proposition, it is to be considered that the good make a vigil here in the mourning of penance, and therefore they arrive at the feast of eternal joy. Although the penance of holy men seems to have much harshness, yet it ought to be lightened by considering the immensity of such great glory.