Spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.
Tradition says that when Solomon received the gift of an emerald vase from the Queen of Sheba he filled it with an elixir which he only knew how to prepare, one drop of which would prolong life indefinitely.

A dying criminal begged for a drop of the precious fluid, but Solomon refused to prolong a wicked life.

When good men asked for it they were refused, or failed to obtain it when promised, as the king would forget or prefer not to open the vase to get but a single drop.

When at last the king became ill, and bade his servants bring the vase, he found that the contents had all evaporated.

So it is often with our hope, our faith, our ambition, our aspiration.
A man cannot aspire if he looks down.