The horse is your fate and you hold the reins with a firm hand, but you are not free to choose the direction. Your must choose between the path of good and the path of evil, for any person is initially endowed with the knowledge of what is good and what is evil. The dog running next to you is your unselfish, loving and faithful friend who is always ready to protect you and to lead you the right way if you go astray.

         Look at ghostly figures behind you. The first one, on the pale horse, is Death. It is your master and at the same time your slave because you belong to it, but it also belongs to you. Time is pouring in the hourglass of your life and when you disappear, it will end too.

         The second figure is the Devil which is your cynicism, your sin and your fear. You hear the rattle of its claws on your armor. Sometimes you experience a sweet pain, delight and horror when it penetrates the steel and enters your soul, but you should not allow it to be with you forever. You put spurs in the sides of your horse, and the claws come out with terrible pain and relief. You have been given a horse and spurs, but you must choose your armor yourself. You must wear it despite its seemingly unbearable weight and look after it and polish it. Otherwise it will rust and will be useless.

         Take another look at the picture. What creature is moving away from the inevitable end that is contrary to the law of nature? This is a lizard, an ancient symbol of hope and immortality because it can drop its tail and grow a new one. And the hourglass will roll over and Time will again count down to infinity.

         I think, I know what huge mystery lies in a small engraving by Albrecht Durer. This mystery is human life.