“What is it therefore that the holy man enumerates so many of his virtues amid afflictions? What is it that he praises with his own mouth the works he had done, except that amid wounds and words which could drag him to despair, they reform his soul to hope? And he who was humble in prosperity, having recalled his good…”
Gregory the Dialogist, 7th c. — Homilies on Ezekiel, Book 2, Homily 7
Original
25In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity.
Modern
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In context
23Say not, What profit is there of my service? and what good things shall I have hereafter?
24Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what evil shall I have hereafter?
— Sirach 11:25 —
26For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death to reward a man according to his ways.
27The affliction of an hour maketh a man forget pleasure: and in his end his deeds shall be discovered.