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Updated: May 2, 2025
The selfish languor and indifference of to-day's possession is the consequence of the selfish ardour of yesterday's pursuit: the scorn and weariness which cries vanitas vanitatum is but the lassitude of the sick appetite palled with pleasure: the insolence of the successful parvenu is only the necessary continuance of the career of the needy struggler: our mental changes are like our grey hairs or our wrinkles but the fulfilment of the plan of mortal growth and decay: that which is snow-white now was glossy black once; that which is sluggish obesity to-day was boisterous rosy health a few years back; that calm weariness, benevolent, resigned, and disappointed, was ambition, fierce and violent, but a few years since, and has only settled into submissive repose after many a battle and defeat.
Vanitas vanitatum was the text of many a homily that she delivered, and a certain sadness replaced the sense of malice that had once possessed her. Once more than aggressive, now she had had bestowed upon her in some degree that gift of understanding that engenders sympathy.
Have been in the Aegean since dawn. At noon passed a cruiser taking back Admiral Carden invalided to Malta. One week ago the thunder of his guns shook the firm foundations of the world. Now a sheer hulk lies poor old Carden. Vanitas vanitatum. Have got into touch with my staff. They are all General Staff: no Administrative Staff. There are nine of the General Staff. I like the looks of them.
Their function is to raise and disappoint our desire time after time, till we be starved back to Him as to the sole-satisfying everything else having proved vanitas vanitatum. Then indeed we go back to them, not for their own sakes, but for His; not attracted by our love of them, but impelled by our love of Him.
'In the meantime we will go back to our books, and serve God and the King in small things if not in great. Come, father, this is no longer a place for us. VANITAS VANITATUM OMNIA VANITAS! We will retire.
But I should like to add, in the prison of the flesh grows the longing for liberation: 'Who shall deliver me, wretched man, from this body of sin? Yes, Abbe, Vanitas vanitatum! Vanitas! You are young, but you must not despise the old man when he turns round and spits behind him all the unpleasantness of his past life.
Yet here am I safe at sea and fighting rogues as often as I may, for great riches is a plague that tainteth love and friendship alike vanitas vanitatum, omnium vanitas!" "Yet your three years have been turned to better account than mine!" said I, grown suddenly humble. "In the matter of houses and land, Martin?" "Aye!" I nodded. "For my three years I've nought to show but scars and rags."
"And if you please, sir, I'll be keeping my hat on. I have just washed my hair, and I want it to dry straight." The judge looked at the suspicious turn of the thick locks around the brim of the stiff hat and smiled. "Vanitas vanitatum, et omnia vanitas," he quoted. "How many pages of Blackstone to-day?" Sandy made a wry face and winked at Mrs. Hollis, but she betrayed him.
We had taken our apartment for a year, but as the place was already full, with tenants waiting, there would be no trouble to sublet to some one of the many who are ever willing to spend most of their income in rent and live the best way they can. Peace be with them. They are welcome to do so, but for people like ourselves the Apollo was not built, and Vanitas Vanitatum is written upon its walls.
Vanitas Vanitatum! But, how grand it would be? Picture it, think of it, common place men! Sir Maximus and Lady Adlepait? How would the obscure Miss Hampden, fancy that? His silky hands will be full of nothing more tempting than slender veins of genuine blue-blood but, as papa says what do we want any more money for, we have enough for any ordinary human life-time?"
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