If thou knewest the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would it profit thee without the love of God, and without grace?
Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, except to love God, and only to serve Him.
This is the highest wisdom, by contempt of the world to tend towards the kingdom of Heaven.
4. It is therefore vanity to seek after riches which perish, and to trust in them.
It is vanity also to strive after honours, and to climb to high degree.
It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh, and to labour for that for which thou must afterwards suffer most grievous punishment.
Vanity it is to desire to live long, and not to be careful to live well.
It is vanity to mind only this present life, and not to make provision for those things which are to come.
It is vanity to love that which speedily passeth away, and not to hasten thither where everlasting joy awaiteth thee.
5. Call often to mind that proverb, "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing."
Endeavour therefore to withdraw thy heart from the love of visible things, and to turn thyself to the invisible.
For they that follow their lusts stain their own consciences, and lose the grace of God.
