Mishnah 1 - Chapter 3 - Pirkei Avot

Akavya ben mahalal'el omer. Histakkel bishloshah devarim ve'ein attah ba lidei averah. Da', me'ayin bata ule'an attah holech velifnei mi attah atid litten din vecheshbon. Me'ayin bata - mittippah seruchah, ule'an attah holech - limkom afar rimmah vetole'ah, velifnei mi attah atid litten din vecheshbon - lifnei melech malchei hammelachim hakkadosh baruch hu.

Akabyah ben Mahalalel said: mark well three things and you will not come into the power of sin: Know from where you come, and where you are going, and before whom you are destined to give an account and reckoning. From where do you come? From a putrid drop. Where are you going? To a place of dust, of worm and of maggot. Before whom you are destined to give an account and reckoning? Before the King of the kings of kings, the Holy One, blessed be he.

Akavya ben Mahalalel says: Take to heart three things and you will not be brought to transgression: Know whence you came and whither you are going and before Whom you are destined to render judgment and accounting. Whence did you come? From a putrefying drop. [the drop of semen. And even though at the time of conception it does not putrefy (not putrefying in the womb until after three days, and when it does putrefy, it is not fit for fertilization), it is still called "putrefying" for it is close to doing so immediately upon its being outside the womb. And one who takes it to heart that he comes from a putrefying drop is rescued from pride.] And whither are you going? To a place of dust, worms, and maggots. [One who takes this to heart is rescued from lust and from the desire for wealth.] And before whom are you destined to render judgment and accounting? Before the King of the kings of kings — the Holy One Blessed be He. [One who takes this to heart separates himself from sin and does not stumble into transgression.]