Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow."
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
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.
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.
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
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When I first read this many years ago, I wept for quite a while at the truth of it, and have always remembered this passage. It touches open wounds and recalls sacred moments. Now that I am older, the scale seems to have balanced itself, and when I read this, I meerly shake my head yes. and I just think how beautiful it is.
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Sorrow is to the soul what fire is to gold,it is purifying....cleansing, strengthening
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.
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed -
joy is sorrow of sorrow and sorrow is the joy of joy..."Your joy is your sorrow unmasked."
these are words of wisdom.
so is "the Prophet"
thans for making Gibran the poet of the month...the whole month we will enjoy such words of wisdom...great job by Old poetry site
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Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
"Joy and Sorrow" brings balance.
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"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives"
From Khalil Jibran's Chapter on Joy and Sorrow from The Prophet. A beautiful chapter of poetic prose, full of philosophy and images. A rare work of art.
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