another by glory and honours; another, again, by wisdom and learning, another by gay companionships, and so forth; generally all strive for outward things.
3. But that that cannot be found there, of that the wisest of men, Solomon, is witness; he who also sought solace for his mind, and who, having traversed and viewed the whole world, at last said: "I hate this life; because the work that is wrought under this sun is grievous unto me; for all is vanity and vexation of spirit."[1] When he had searched afterwards for the true solace of the spirit, he declared that it consists in this: that man, renouncing the world such as it is, should seek only our Lord God, fear Him, and heed His commandments. For this, he said, is the whole duty of man. Similarly, David found that that man is happiest who, dismissing the world from his eyes and his mind, trusts in the Lord God alone, considers Him his portion for ever, and dwells with Him in his heart.[2]
4. The mercy of God be praised that has opened my eyes also, so that I have learnt to recognise the manifold vanities of this world, and its miserable deceit that is hidden under its outer splendour; and also (have I learnt) to seek elsewhere the peace and security of my mind. Wishing suitably to place all this before mine own eyes, and also to show it to others, I have imagined this pilgrimage or wandering through the world; what monstrous
