The littleness of all earthly things

(William Law, "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life")

The Scriptures represent this life, and the greatest things of life . . .
  as bubbles,
  as vapors,
  as dreams,
  and as shadows.

Think upon the vanity and shortness of human life — and let death and eternity be often in your minds; for these thoughts will strengthen and exalt your minds, make you wise and judicious, and truly sensible of the littleness of all earthly things.

The greatness of those things which follow death — makes all that goes before it sink into nothing!