" it is also vain for you to wish to become a hermit , or to find the elixir of life . these things are not for such as you - your life is not austere enough . it is best for you to go back to your paternal home , and to live a good and industrious life . never neglect to keep the anniversaries of your ancestors , and make it your duty to provide for your children 's future . thus will you live to a good old age and be happy , but give up the vain desire to escape death , for no man can do that . by this time you have surely found out that even when selfish desires are granted they do not bring happiness . " " in this book i give you there are many precepts good for you to know . if you study them , you will be guided in the way i have pointed out to you . " the angel disappeared as soon as he had finished speaking , and sentaro took the lesson to heart . with the book in his hand he returned to his old home . giving up all his old vain wishes , he tried to live a good and useful life and to observe the lessons taught him in the book , and he and his house prospered henceforth .
his life was not austere enough .
why was the elixir of life not for sentaro ?
why was the elixir of life not for sentaro ?