Mark Spada

When a man sees death as something far away and feels that his stay in this world will be a lengthy one, he will be beset with varioius ambitions and deep avarice. Coveting the possessions of others and holding his own too dear, he will develop the disposition of a merchant farmer. When death is held constantly in mind and this world is seen in it's triviality, the greed in one's heart will weaken as a matter of course, and the squalid tempers of avarice and selfishness will not so much intrude themselves. For this reason it is said that even one's character will improve.

Daidoji Yuzan
Budoshoshinshu
1700 AD