Chapter VIII: Self-Examination and Self-Accounting
how blind you are to these open matters. Perhaps you have been charmed by a desire of name and fame. Don't you think that these names and fames and wealth will come of no use to you? Do you think that whatever things are in this world are all obedient to you? Don't you think that after 50 years, you will not be in this world and those who obeyed you will not then live ? Soon there will come a time when your name even will not exist, you will not be remembered and those who remembered you will not remember you. The kings and emperors before you suffered the same fate. Do you now remember any one of them or hear the hidden treasures of any of them ? How can you purchase what will not last for more than 50 years in exchange of what will last for ever ? If the whole world comes to you, if the entire treasures of the world are given to you, can they save you from the jaws of death?
13. 0 baser self, Alas for you if you do not renounce the world though attracted towards the next world. Why don't you forsake the worldly-drunk men though you know them bad ? There are sufferings for you if you keep company with them. Why don't you give up what will soon come to an end ? What is the matter with you that you cannot give up the little of this world, although most thing of the world left you ? You are going away from the company of the Prophets and the truthful though you know that they are the constant companions of the Almighty.
14. 0 baser self, Alas for you, you are facing destruction, you are facing death, and signs of warning have come to you. Who will pray for you after your death ? Who will fast for you after your death ? Who will incur pleasure of the Lord after your death ? Alas for you, Only some few days remain now of you life. This is your only means. During these days, you will acquire what will be useful for the next world. You have spent uselessly the greater portion of your life. You will have to repent for the rest of your life for what you have lost.
15. O baser self, don't you know that your end is promised, that grave is your house, that earth is your bed, that worms and insects are your companions and that grave dangers lie ahead of you ? O baser self, don't you know that the soldiers of death are waiting for you at the gate of your city. They have taken solemn vow that they will not move and inch without taking you ? Don't
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you know that a dead man expects to return to this world for a single day, so that he may do what he could not do before.