Like splendid robes appear the wings <br />Of the ephemeral fly; <br />And such the pomp of those great men, <br />Which soon in death shall lie! <br />I grieve! Would they but come to me! <br />To teach them I should try. <br /> <br />The wings of the ephemeral fly <br />Are robes of colors gay; <br />And such the glory of those men, <br />Soon crumbling to decay! <br />I grieve! Would they but rest with me, <br />They'd learn a better way! <br /> <br />The ephemeral fly bursts from its hole, <br />With gauzy wings like snow; <br />So quick the rise, so quick the fall, <br />Of those great men we know! <br />I grieve! Would they but lodge with me, <br />Forth they would wiser go.<br /><br />Confucius<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/against-frivolous-pursuits/
