“Those who live well, die well.” – St. Robert Bellarmine

They also who diligently apply to study, will soon become learned doctors, but they who do not, will be ignorant. But, perhaps, someone may mention, as an objection, the example of the good thief, who lived ill and yet died well. This was not the case; for that good thief led a holy life, and therefore died a holy death. But, even supposing he had spent the greater part of his days in wickedness, yet the other part of his life was spent so well, that he easily repented of his former sins, and gained the greatest graces. For, burning with love of God, he openly defended our saviour from the calumnies of His enemies; and filled with the same charity towards his neighbour, he rebuked and admonished his blaspheming companion, and endeavoured to convert him. He was yet alive when he thus addressed him saying: “Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due rewards of our deeds: but this man hath done no evil.” Neither was he dead when, confessing and calling upon Christ, he uttered these noble words: “Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom.” The good thief then appeared appeared to “have been one of those who came last into the vineyard, and yet received a reward greater than the first.

St. Robert Bellarmine, Ora Pro Nobis.