Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow." <br /> <br />And he answered: <br /> <br />Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. <br /> <br />And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. <br /> <br />And how else can it be? <br /> <br />The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. <br /> <br />Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? <br /> <br />And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives? <br /> <br />When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. <br /> <br />When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. <br /> <br />Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater." <br /> <br />But I say unto you, they are inseparable. <br /> <br />Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed. <br /> <br />Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. <br /> <br />Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced. <br /> <br />When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.<br /><br />Khalil Gibran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/joy-and-sorrow-chapter-viii/
