痛苦
纪伯伦
一位妇人说：给我们谈谈痛苦吧。
他说到：你们的痛苦正是那破壳而出的悟性。
就像果核必须破壳而出才能享受阳光，你们也必定经历痛苦。
如果你们的心灵能够惊叹于日常生活的奇迹，
你们的痛苦就会与你们的快乐一样神奇；
你们会习惯心灵的四季变换，如同习惯接受田野的四季变换。
这样，你们就能以宁静之心看待你们肃杀的冬季。
你们的痛苦多是你们自己的选择。
它是你们体内的医生治疗你们病躯的苦药。
因此请信任这医师，宁静地畅饮他的良药：
因为他的手，尽管沉重而坚硬，却由一只藏而不露的温柔的手指引；
他端上的杯子，尽管烧灼你的双唇，
却是由陶工用自己神圣的泪水打湿陶土而铸成。
On Pain
KahlilGibran
Your pain is thebreaking
of the shell that encloses your understanding.
Even as the stone of thefruit must break,
that its heart may stand inthe sun, so must you know pain.
And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles ofyour life,
your pain would not seem lesswondrous than your joy;
And you would accept the seasons of your heart,
even as you have alwaysaccepted the seasons that pass over your fields.
And you would watch with serenity throughthe winters of your grief.
Much of your pain is self-chosen.
It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you healsyour sick self.
Therefore trust the physician, and drinkhis remedy in silence and tranquillity:
For his hand, though heavy and hard,
is guided by the tender hand of the Unseen,
And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips,
has been fashioned of theclay which the Potter has moistened
with His own sacred tears.
欢乐与忧伤
纪伯伦
一位女子说，
请给我们讲讲欢乐和忧伤。
他答道：
你们的欢乐是无法掩饰的忧伤。
你欢笑的泉眼常常也饱含着泪水。
除此以外，又当如何？
镌刻在你们身上的忧伤愈深，你们就能容纳愈多的欢乐。
难道不是曾在陶工炉火中锻造的杯盏，如今斟满你们的葡萄美酒？
难道不是曾在木匠利刃下雕琢镂空的木材，如今成为抚慰你们心灵的鲁特琴？
当你们欣喜时，深究自己的心灵，
你们会发现如今带给你们欢乐的，正是当初带给你们忧伤的。
当你们悲哀时，再审视自己的心灵，
你们会发现如今带给你们忧伤的，正是当初带给你们欢乐的。
你们当中一些人说：" 欢乐胜于忧伤。 "
而另一些人说： " 不，忧伤更伟大。 "
但我要说，它们是相辅相成的。
它们一同降临，
当其中一个独自与你同席时，要记住另一个正在你的床上安眠。
的确，你们就像在忧伤与欢乐之间摇摆不定的天平。
只有当你们完全虚空时，你们才会平衡、稳定。
把你浮沉不定的欢乐和悲伤
都留给那用你来称量金银的守财奴吧。
On Joy andSorrow
KahlilGibran
Your joy is your sorrowunmasked.
And the selfsame well fromwhich 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 yourspirit,
the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart,
and you shall find it is onlythat which has given you sorrow
that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,
and you shall see that intruth you are weeping for
that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, "Joy is greater thar 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 yourboard,
remember that the other isasleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and yourjoy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and hissilver,
needs must your joy or yoursorrow rise or fall.
