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THE KING'S MIRROR 



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your business, such as loss of property or men, always 

 bear it with a calm and undaunted temper. Let the loss 

 of wealth seem least to you, for you must bear in mind 

 jthat it is sinful to worship wealth or to love it too highly, 

 even though it returns a man's love and comes abun- 

 tkmtly into his keeping. And to love wealth much, when 

 it seems inclined to turn away from a man and does not 

 return his love, is surely sinful and will lead to grief. 

 Remember, too, that all come destitute into the world; 

 and our mode of departure from this life is such that 

 wealth cannot follow us out of the world. Nevertheless, 

 you must take heed that nothing is lost through your 

 iieglect or indifference. And never grieve so deeply over 

 a loss that you cannot be hopeful and cheerful as before. 

 If you suffer loss of men, bear that loss, too, with a 

 calm spirit; for remember that every man in departing 

 this life fulfils a law in human nature, inasmuch as no 

 one is created to live forever in this world. Let it grieve 

 you more, if an acquaintance of yours who has not 

 lived as he ought here on earth, should die in that state 

 and leave the world in disgrace; but most of all if you 

 fear that his soul is in peril; for such things are rather 

 to be lamented than that in dying he pays a debt to 

 nature* But if he lived uprightly while on earth and 

 made proper provision for his soul before he died, then 

 you may take comfort in the good repute that lives after 

 him, and even more in the blissful happiness which you 

 believe he will enjoy with God in the other world. In 

 the same way you must keep your spirit calm and in 

 good control when such events come to pass as may seem 

 profitable to you and stir your heart to joy and gladness, 



