How is it possible for men not to rejoice each day over the pleasure of being alive? Foolish men, forgetting this pleasure, laboriously seek others; forgetting the wealth they possess, they risk their lives in their greed for new wealth. But their desires are never satisfied. While they live they do not rejoice in life, but, when faced with death, they fear it - what could be more illogical? People fail to enjoy life because they do not fear death. No, it is not that they have no fear of death; rather, they forget how close it is. - Kenko, *Essays in Idleness*