Ecclesiastes 9:4

For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

Ver. 4. For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope.] These are the words of those wicked ones, a whose lives and hopes end together, whose song is, Post mortem nulla voluptas, when life ends, there is an end of all. Is there not such language in some men's hearts, Who knows whether there be any such thing as a life to come? &c. Now I shall know, said that dying pope, b whether the soul of man be immortal, yea or no; and whether that tale concerning Christ have any truth in it. Oh, wretch!

So a living dog is better than a dead lion.] But so is not a living sinner better than a dead saint; for "the righteous hath hope in his death"; and they that "die in the Lord are blessed"; Rev 14:13 how much more if they also die for the Lord! These "love not their lives unto the death." Rev 12:11 but go as willingly to die as ever they did to dine, being as glad to leave the world (for a better especially) as men are wont to be to rise from the board, when they have eaten their fill, to take possession of a lordship.

“ Cur non ut plenus vitae conviva recedis? ” - Lucret.

a Ex primis per μιμησιν eorum sermones. - Lav. Job 24:1,25 .

b Sic Benedic. IX., Alexand. VI., Leo. X.