On Joy and Sorrow – Inspirational Poetry on Life by Khalil Gibran

Though we often don't realize it, joy and sorrow are two sides of the same coin: you can't have one without the other.

In this deep and beautiful poem, Khalil Gibran shows us why it's necessary to embrace both, especially times of sorrow, which we often try to ignore, avoid, or run away from.

Watch this video in its entirety and get swept away by Khalil Gibran's wisdom and inspirational poetry.

#khalilgibran #inspirationalpoetry #kahlilgibran

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"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 holds 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."

~ Kahlil Gibran, "On Joy and Sorrow," from The Prophet

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Gibran Khalil Gibran (January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931), usually referred to in English as Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist, also considered a philosopher although he himself rejected the title. He is best known as the author of The Prophet, which was first published in the United States in 1923 and has since become one of the best-selling books of all time, having been translated into more than 100 languages.