Is not human life on earth a time of testing? Who would choose troubles and hardships? You command us to endure them, but not to love them.

No-one loves what he has to endure, even if he loves the endurance, for although he may rejoice in his power to endure, he would prefer to have nothing that demands endurance.

In adverse circumstances I long for prosperity, and in times of prosperity I dread adversity. What middle ground is there, between these two, where human life might be free from trial?

Woe betide worldly prosperity, and woe again, from fear of disaster and evanescent joy! But woe, woe, and woe again upon worldly adversity, from envy of better fortune, the hardship of adversity itself, and the fear that endurance may falter.

Is not human life on earth a time of testing without respite?

On your exceedingly great mercy, and on that alone, rests all my hope.

—Augustine