Mirror of Sinners on the Contempt of the World

...majesty you see such compassion. original: "maiestate tantam vides erbibet compaffiones."
Do not grasp what the flesh wants, but what the spirit asks. If, however, you say: "This saying is hard, I cannot hear it, for I cannot despise myself and hate my own flesh." original: "Noli appzehendere quid caro velit: fed quod fpiritus pofcit. Si vero dicis: durus eft hic fermo: non poffum eum audire. no enim poffum meipfum fpernere z propriam carne odio habere."
Tell me, where are the lovers of this world who were with you a short time ago? Nothing remains of them except ashes and worms. original: "Dic mibi vbi funt amatores hui? mudi: q ante pauca tempoza vobifcũ erāt nibil ex eis remanfit nifi cineres z vermes."
Consider what men are or what they have been: like you, they ate and drank and laughed, and led their days in good things, and in a moment descended to hell. original: "Attende quid funt vel quid fuerunt bomines: ficut tu comederunt et biberunt et riferunt: et duxerunt in bonis dies fuos: et in puncto ad inferna defcenderunt."
Here their flesh is for worms; there their soul is consigned to eternal fires. original: "hic caro eozum vermibus: illic anima eozum eternis ignibus deputatur."
What did vain glory profit them, short joy, the power of the world, the pleasure of the flesh, false riches, a great household, and evil concupiscence? Where is the laughter, where the joke, where the boasting, where the arrogance? original: "Quid profuit illis inanis glozia: bzeuis leticia: mundi potentia: carnis voluptas: falfe diuicie: magna familia: et mala cocupifcentia vbi rifus: vbi iocus: vbi iactantia: vbi arrogantia."
From such joy, they fell into great sadness and into great torments. original: "de tanta letitia ceciderunt in magnam triftitiam et in magna tozmenta."
Whatever happened to them can happen to you, because you are a man; and man himself is from the soil, clay from clay, from the earth you are and to the earth you will return. original: "quicquid illis accidit tibi accidere poteft quia bomo es: z ipfe bomo de humo limus de limo de terra es zin terram reuerteris."
When the last day will come, you do not know, which nevertheless will come suddenly, and perhaps it will be today or tomorrow. original: "quando veniet dies vltima nefcis: que tamen fubito veniet: z forfan bodie vel cras erit."
For it is certain that you will die; but it is uncertain when or how or where. original: "Certum enim eft q mozieris: incertum autem quando aut quomodo: aut vbi."
And since death expects you everywhere, you too, if you are wise, will expect it everywhere. original: "Et quoniam mozs vbiq te expectat. tu quoq fi fapiens fueris vbiq eam expectabis."
For these are the words of Blessed Bernard. original: "Hec enim funt verba beati Bernardi."
Hence Blessed Gregory says: "Nothing is more certain than death, and nothing more uncertain than the hour of death." original: "Hinc beatus Gzegorius dicit: Nibil certius mozte: et nibil incertius boza moztis."
Since, therefore, you know that you will die shortly, keep yourself always in all things humbly, patiently, and prudently, as one about to die; and say: "These did not move Christ while dying, nor should they move you," whether they be harsh or adverse, let every day be to you as if it were the last. original: "Ex quo igitur fcis te bzeuiter moziturum: tene te femper in omnibus mouentib humiliter: patienter et prudenter vt moziturum. et dic hec no mouerunt chriftum mozituy nec te mouere debent: fiue afpera fiue aduerfa: fit tibi quelibet dies tanq extrema."
Whence it is said in Ecclesiastes, chapter 7: "In all your works, remember your last things, and you will not sin for eternity." original: "Vnde Eccle. capi.vii. dicitur In omnibus operibus tuis memorare nouiffima tua: et in eternum non peccabis."
Likewise Jerome says: "He easily despises all things who always thinks that he will die." original: "Item Hieronimus inquit Facile contemnit omnia qui fe femper cogitat moziturum."
And let these suffice concerning the memory of death. original: "Et bec de memoza moztis fufficiant."
Now, returning to the proposal, it must be considered that the good make their vigil here in the mourning of penitence, and therefore they will arrive at the feast of eternal joy. original: "Modo redeundo ad propofitum confiderandum eft q boni faciunt hic vigilia in luctu penitentie: z ideo peruennient ad feftus iocunditatis eterne."
And although the penitence of holy men...