Nautilus

What doth it profit to gaze at a shadow reflected in the water? What do joy and happiness tasted in a dream profit thee? After all, dreams, be they so long, are short-lived; and life’s joys are like dreams in a dark night. Awake, therefore, O my son, out of the night, and seek the light that thou mayest see and be seen; light your lamp and read. Awake; be not seduced by dreams and deceived by false imaginings. Thy life is a wheel that is ever turning and running on, and never waits for thee. It is thy duty to keep up with it.

Exhortations from an ancient Irish saint.