O how cheating, O how fleeting,
Is our worldly being!
'Tis a mist in wintry weather,
Gathered in an hour together,
And as soon dispersed in ether.
- "Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig" (1652)

O how cheating, O how fleeting,
Are our days departing!
Like a deep and headlong river,
Flowing onward, flowing ever,
Tarrying not and stopping never.

O how cheating, O how fleeting,
Are the world's enjoyments!
All the hues of change they borrow,
Bright today and dark tomorrow —
Mingled lot of joy and sorrow!

O how cheating, O how fleeting,
Is all worldly beauty!
Like a summer flow'ret flowing,
Scattered by the breezes blowing
O'er the bed on which 'twas growing.

O how cheating, O how fleeting,
All — yes all — that's earthly!
Everything is fading, flying;
Man is mortal, earth is dying;
Christian, live! — on Heav'n relying.

All conditioned things
arise, change, and pass away.
Seeing this clearly,
we loosen our attachment
to the changing fortunes
of the world.