我很喜歡紀伯倫(Kahlil Gibran)的先知(The Prophet)
描述喜悅和哀愁
妳的喜悅是你不掩飾的哀愁,
從同一口泉湧出的,是你的笑聲,也是你滿盈的淚。
除此之外還能如何呢?
哀愁鑿你越深,你便能擁有更多的喜悅。
承裝你心靈的琵琶,不也曾是刀斧下一塊呆滯的木頭嗎?
當你喜悅時,要深自省察,你會發現,曾給妳哀愁的,正給予你喜悅。
當你哀愁時,再反想看看,你會明白,為之揮淚的,正是昔日的歡樂。
有人說:「喜悅比哀愁偉大。」有人說:「不,哀愁才偉大。」
但我要告訴你,他們是不可分的。
他們是一起來的。當其中一個與你同坐餐桌時,另一個正酣睡在你床上。
妳恰如天秤般的被懸掛在你的哀愁與喜悅間。
只有在你空靈時,才會靜止平衡。
當那寶藏的持有人舉起你來秤他的金和銀時,需要的,就是你喜悅與哀愁的起落。
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
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."
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.