The task of mankind

Gilgamesh, whither rovest thou?
The life thou pursuest thou shall not find.
When the gods created mankind,
Death for mankind they set aside,
Life in their own hands retaining.
Thou, Gilgamesh, let full be thy belly.
Make thou merry by day and by night.
Of each day make thou a feast of rejoicing,
Day and night dance thou and play.
Let thy garments be sparkling fresh,
Thy head be washed; bathe thou in water.
Pay heed to the little one that holds on to thy hand,
Let thy spouse rejoice in thy bosom!
For this is the task of mankind!

Siduri is a character in the Epic of Gilgamesh. She is an "alewife", a wise female divinity associated with fermentation. Take her party advice this New Year's Eve. She's qualified, and nothing much has changed over the last four thousand years it would seem.