"How quickly the glory of this world passes, with its deceptive pleasures! If only their life had been on par with their learning, then all their study and reading would have been to a good end. Many there are who care little for a good life in the service of God, because they give themselves up to useless pursuits. They prefer to be great in this world than to be humble, and therefore their illusions go up in smoke."
(The Imitation of Christ, Book One, chapter three)
