Of Joy and Sorrow

• 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 cupthat holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the pooter'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 you delight.

• Some of you say, "Joy is greater tahn 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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