Ash Wednesday Quote

From Alec Guinness's first memoir, Blessings in Disguise:

'Oh you are lucky to be a Catholic,' some people say, as if my Premium Bonds had paid a handsome dividend.  Well, yes, but the constant failures are painful, when not just laughable, and boringly repetitive.  A few years ago, on Ash Wednesday, standing in line to be smudged on the forehead with ashes, as is the custom, a small boy of about seven was immediately in front of me.  In front of him shambled a man probably in his late eighties.  Behind me stood a very pretty young woman.  Each of us, as the ashes were imposed, would hear the words, 'Remember man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.'  Caesar, the Pope, the small boy, one's friends and oneself, all destined to be blown away, recycled or reconstituted.  I cannot see much to grumble at.  Others coming after us will love much of what we have loved and many new beauties besides.  The ashes imposed on our heads are the burned, pulverized and blessed palm branches leftover from the previous year's Passion Tide; and another Easter is always on the way.