Origen

“ Who has given so severe an estimate of the life of the human soul here on earth, as he who says: “Verily every man at his best estate is altogether vanity?” [6] He does not hesitate at all as to the difference between the present life of the soul and that which it is to lead hereafter. ”

“ Celsus has not explained how error accompanies the “becoming,” or product of generation; nor has he expressed himself with sufficient clearness to enable us to compare his ideas with ours, and to pass judgment on them. ”

“ They say, “I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me;” [2] also, “They are estranged from the womb;” which is followed by the singular expression, “They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.” [3] Besides, our wise men have such a contempt for all sensible objects, that sometimes they speak of all material things as vanity: thus, “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that subjected the same in hope;” [4] at other times as vanity of vanities, “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, all is vanity.” ”