ball the better, if the motion of it be upwards; or the worse
if it be downwards; or if it chance to fall upon the ground?
So for the bubble; if it continue, what it the better? and if
it dissolve, what is it the worse And so is it of a candle too.
And so must thou reason with thyself, both in matter of fame,
and in matter of death. For as for the body itself,
(the subject of death) wouldest thou know the vileness of it?
Turn it about that thou mayest behold it the worst sides upwards
as well, as in its more ordinary pleasant shape; how doth it look,
when it is old and withered? when sick and pained? when in the act
of lust, and fornication? And as for fame. This life is short.
Both he that praiseth, and he that is praised; he that remembers,
and he that is remembered, will soon be dust and ashes.
Besides, it is but in one corner of this part of the world
that thou art praised; and yet in this corner, thou hast not
the joint praises of all men; no nor scarce of any one constantly.
And yet the whole earth itself, what is it but as one point,
in regard of the whole world?