'Let us then pass through the fires of youth and the
glow of early years; let us pass through the waters, let us not remain
therein, lest the deep floods shut us in. Let us rather pass over, that
we too may say: "Our soul has passed over the stream," for he who has
passed over is safe. And lastly, the Lord speaks thus: "If thou pass
through the water, I am with thee, the rivers shall not overflow thee."
And the prophet says: "I have seen the wicked exalted above the cedars
of Libanus, and I passed by, and lo, he was not." Pass by things of this
world, and you will see that the high places of the wicked have fallen.
Moses, too, passing by things of this world, saw a great sight and
said: "I will turn aside and see this great sight," for had he been held
by the fleeting pleasures of this world he would not have seen so great
a mystery.'