"Vanity of vanities," saith he, "all is vanity and vexation of spirit."
Every day affords a fresh evidence of this truth; for man's heart desires to be satisfied, and yet if it had all it desired, not only would it fail to be satisfied, but it would hunger still more. And this is so, because, in feeding on the things of the world, it feeds upon shadows and dreams, on unrealities and lies,—things which cannot nourish.
The promises of the world are false, and full of deception. It promises one thing for another. It promises happiness and gives misery. In very many cases it promises and gives no fulfilment. It gives, and quickly takes away; and if it does not quickly take away, it only the more afflicts those who indulge their passions, and who fix their desires in the mire. To such it may be said: 'O ye sons of men, how long will ye be vexed? wherefore do ye have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing?'
But let it be granted that in a certain sense the apparent blessings of this world are real blessings, what will they say of the rapidity with which man's life passes away? Where is the happiness, where the greatness, and the pride of princes, kings, and emperors? It is all gone.
The way then to overcome the world in such a manner that it may become loathsome to you,
