Even as in a sea voyage, when the ship is brought to anchor, and you go out to fetch in water, you make a by-work of gathering a few roots and shells by the way, but have need ever to keep your mind fixed on the ship, and constantly to look round, lest at any time the master of the ship call, and you must, if he call, cast away all those things, lest you be treated like the sheep that are bound and thrown into the hold: So it is with human life also. And if there be given wife and children instead of shells and roots, nothing shall hinder us to take them. But if the master call, run to the ship, forsaking all those things, and looking not behind. And if thou be in old age, go not far from the ship at any time, lest the master should call, and thou be not ready.
On a sea voyage, when the ship anchors, you may go ashore to fetch water. Along the way, you may gather a few roots and shells as a sideline. But you must always keep your mind on the ship and keep looking back. The captain may call at any moment. If he does, you must drop everything you have gathered. Otherwise, you may be tied up and thrown into the hold like sheep. The same is true of human life. If you are given a wife and children instead of shells and roots, nothing prevents you from accepting them. But if the captain calls, run to the ship, leaving all those things behind and not looking back. And if you are old, never go far from the ship. Otherwise, the captain may call when you are not ready.