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And when he is out of sight, quickly also is he out of mind.
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Tell me, where are now all those Masters and Doctors whom you knew so well in their lifetime in the full flower of their learning? Other men now sit in their seats, and they are hardly ever called to mind. At the Day of Judgement, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done not how eloquently we have spoken, but how holily we have lived. If only such people were as diligent in the uprooting of vices and the panting of virtues as they are in the debating of problems, there would not be so many evils and scandals among the people, nor such laxity in communities. But because many are more eager to acquire much learning than to live well, they often go astray, and bear little or no fruit. Yet learning itself is not to be blamed, or is the simple knowledge of anything whatsoever to be despised, for true learning is good in itself and ordained by God but a good conscience and a holy life are always to be preferred. 3 this is part of a longer passage:Ī humble knowledge of oneself is a surer road to God than a deep searching of the sciences. At the Day of Judgement we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done not how well we have spoken, but how holily we have lived.
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Certe adveniente die judicii, non quæretur a nobis quid legimus, sed quid fecimus nec quam bene diximus, sed quam religiose viximus.Note: These words are used in the crowning of the pope.How fast passes away the glory of this world.1.2 Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895).
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