You must be like a rocky cliff by the sea. The waves beat against it constantly, but it stands firm. And around it, those crashing waves grow calm and quiet.
Thou must be like a promontory of the sea, against which though the waves beat continually, yet it both itself stands, and about it are those swelling waves stilled and quieted.
Someone takes care of another person's funeral, then soon after gets buried himself. One person after another — and all of it happens so quickly. This is the key point: look at all worldly things as lasting only a day. And see them as worthless and disgusting. What is a human being? Just the other day he was disgusting slime at conception. In a few days he will be either an embalmed corpse or just ashes. You must think about this honestly and naturally — that human life lasts only a moment. Then you can leave peacefully and satisfied, like a ripe olive that falls and praises the ground that held it up, and thanks the tree that made it.
Such and such a one took care of such and such a one's burial, and soon after was buried himself. So one, so another: and all things in a short time. For herein lieth all indeed, ever to look upon all worldly things, as things for their continuance, that are but for a day: and for their worth, most vile, and contemptible, as for example, What is man? That which but the other day when he was conceived was vile snivel; and within few days shall be either an embalmed carcass, or mere ashes. Thus must thou according to truth and nature, throughly consider how man's life is but for a very moment of time, and so depart meek and contented: even as if a ripe olive falling should praise the ground that bare her, and give thanks to the tree that begat her.