本詩中，詩人用哲理般的文字談了歡樂與憂傷的關系。歡樂與憂傷是相輔相成，互相依存的：沒有歡樂，也就沒有所謂的憂傷，相反亦是如此。歡樂與憂傷在一定條件下還會相互轉化：曾經的憂傷如今可能讓人快樂，而曾經的快樂如今也會讓人流淚。無論是歡樂美好還是憂傷偉大，這一點是肯定的：經歷過更多傷害的人，才能更加深刻地去享受快樂。

on joy and sorrow
by kahill gilbran
歡樂與憂傷---紀伯倫

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.
一位婦人說：請給我們談談歡樂和憂傷。
他回答：你們的歡樂是無法掩飾的憂傷。
你歡笑的泉眼常常也飽含著淚水。

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，又當如何？
鐫刻在你們身上的憂傷愈深，你們能盛裝的歡樂愈多。
斟滿了美酒的杯盞，難道不是曾在陶工爐火中鍛造的杯盞嗎？

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.
當你們快樂時，審視自己的內心，
你們會發現曾經的憂傷如今卻讓你們快樂。
當你們憂傷時，再次審視自己的內心，
你們會發現曾經的快樂如今卻讓你們流淚。

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.
你們中有些人說：“歡樂勝于憂傷。”
另一些人則說：“不，憂傷更偉大。”
但我要說，他們是相輔相成的。
它們一同降臨，當其中一個單獨與你同坐時，
記住另一個正在你的床上安歇。

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.
的確，你們就像在憂傷與歡樂之間搖擺不定的天平。
只有當你們徹底空虛時，你們才能平衡穩定。
把你浮沉不定的快樂和悲傷都留給
那用你來稱量金銀的守財奴吧。