CONSIDERATION XIII
The Vanity of the world
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul" S. Matt xvi. 26.
First Point.
A CERTAIN ancient philosopher, named Aristippus, was shipwrecked on a voyage, and lost all his goods, but he reached the shore. Being much renowned for his knowledge, he was provided with all that he had lost by the inhabitants of the place; whence he wrote to his friends in his own country, that following his example they should care to provide themselves with those things only which could not perish in shipwreck. So precisely do our parents and friends who are in eternity speak to us, bidding us provide only in life such good things as death cannot destroy. The day of death is called " the day of destruction." (Deut. xxxii. 35.) For in that day all earthly goods, honours, riches, pleasures all will be destroyed. Hence S. Ambrose says, " They are not our own possessions which we are not able to take away with us; our virtue alone accompanies us." What serves it then, says Jesus Christ, to gain the whole world, if losing the soul in death, we lose all. " What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? " Ah, this mighty truth! how many young men has it bidden to seek the cloister; how many hermits to live in deserts; how many martyrs to give their lives for Jesus Christ! S. Ignatius of Loyola by this truth, drew many souls to God,
