On Joy & 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 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.

歡樂與憂愁

　　一位女子說，請給我們講講歡樂和憂愁。

　　他答道：

　　揭開面具，你們的歡樂就是你們的憂愁。

　　從你淚水注滿的同一眼井中，你的歡樂泉湧。

　　能不如此嗎？

　　哀愁刻劃在你們身上的傷痕愈深，你們就能容納愈多的歡樂。

　　難道不是曾經鍛煉於陶工爐火中的杯盞，如今斟滿你們的葡萄美酒？

　　 難道不是曾經被利刃樓空的樹木，如今成為撫慰你們心靈的魯特琴？

　　 當你們欣喜時，深究自己的心靈，你們會發現如今帶給你們歡樂的，正是當初帶給你們憂愁的。

　　 當你們悲哀時，再審視自己的心靈，你們會發現如今帶給你們憂愁的，正是當初帶給你們歡樂的。