XIV. Some things hasten to be, and others to he no more.
And even whatsoever now is, some part thereof bath already perished.
Perpetual fluxes and alterations renew the world,
as the perpetual course of time doth make the age of the world
(of itself infinite) to appear always fresh and new.
In such a flux and course of all things, what of these things
that hasten so fast away should any man regard, since among
all there is not any that a man may fasten and fix upon? as if
a man would settle his affection upon some ordinary sparrow
living by him, who is no sooner seen, than out of sight.
For we must not think otherwise of our lives, than as a mere
exhalation of blood, or of an ordinary respiration of air.
For what in our common apprehension is, to breathe in
the air and to breathe it out again, which we do daily:
so much is it and no more, at once to breathe out all thy
respirative faculty into that common air from whence but lately
(as being but from yesterday, and to-day), thou didst first
breathe it in, and with it, life.

XV. Not vegetative spiration, it is not surely (which plants have)
that in this life should be so dear unto us; nor sensitive respiration,
the proper life of beasts, both tame and wild; nor this our
imaginative faculty; nor that we are subject to be led and carried
up and down by the strength of our sensual appetites; or that we
can gather, and live together; or that we can feed: for that in effect
is no better, than that we can void the excrements of our food.
What is it then that should be dear unto us? to hear a clattering noise?
if not that, then neither to be applauded by the tongues of men.
For the praises of many tongues, is in effect no better than