本诗中，诗人用哲理般的文字谈了欢乐与忧伤的关系。欢乐与忧伤是相辅相成，互相依存的：没有欢乐，也就没有所谓的忧伤，相反亦是如此。欢乐与忧伤在一定条件下还会相互转化：曾经的忧伤如今可能让人快乐，而曾经的快乐如今也会让人流泪。无论是欢乐美好还是忧伤伟大，这一点是肯定的：经历过更多伤害的人，才能更加深刻地去享受快乐。
on joy and sorrow
by kahill gilbran
欢乐与忧伤---纪伯伦
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.
一位妇人说：请给我们谈谈欢乐和忧伤。
他回答：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。
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?
除此之外，又当如何？
镌刻在你们身上的忧伤愈深，你们能盛装的欢乐愈多。
斟满了美酒的杯盏，难道不是曾在陶工炉火中锻造的杯盏吗？
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.
当你们快乐时，审视自己的内心，
你们会发现曾经的忧伤如今却让你们快乐。
当你们忧伤时，再次审视自己的内心，
你们会发现曾经的快乐如今却让你们流泪。
some of you 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.
你们中有些人说：“欢乐胜于忧伤。”
另一些人则说：“不，忧伤更伟大。”
但我要说，他们是相辅相成的。
它们一同降临，当其中一个单独与你同坐时，
记住另一个正在你的床上安歇。
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.
的确，你们就像在忧伤与欢乐之间摇摆不定的天平。
只有当你们彻底空虚时，你们才能平衡稳定。
把你浮沉不定的快乐和悲伤都留给
那用你来称量金银的守财奴吧。
on joy and sorrow
by kahill gilbran
欢乐与忧伤---纪伯伦
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.
一位妇人说：请给我们谈谈欢乐和忧伤。
他回答：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。
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?
除此之外，又当如何？
镌刻在你们身上的忧伤愈深，你们能盛装的欢乐愈多。
斟满了美酒的杯盏，难道不是曾在陶工炉火中锻造的杯盏吗？
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.
当你们快乐时，审视自己的内心，
你们会发现曾经的忧伤如今却让你们快乐。
当你们忧伤时，再次审视自己的内心，
你们会发现曾经的快乐如今却让你们流泪。
some of you 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.
你们中有些人说：“欢乐胜于忧伤。”
另一些人则说：“不，忧伤更伟大。”
但我要说，他们是相辅相成的。
它们一同降临，当其中一个单独与你同坐时，
记住另一个正在你的床上安歇。
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.
的确，你们就像在忧伤与欢乐之间摇摆不定的天平。
只有当你们彻底空虚时，你们才能平衡稳定。
把你浮沉不定的快乐和悲伤都留给
那用你来称量金银的守财奴吧。