"On Joy and Sorrow" Summary

A woman asks Almustafa to talk about joy and sorrow, and he replies that joy is sorrow unmasked. The deeper sorrow carves into one's being, the more joy one can contain. The cup that holds one's wine is burned in the potter's oven, and the lute that soothes the spirit is made of wood hollowed by knives. The joyous should look inside to see the sorrow giving joy, and the sorrowful should see that they are weeping for past delight. People debate whether joy or sorrow is greater, but Almustafa declares them inseparable. People are suspended on scales between them and balanced only when empty.

"On Joy and Sorrow" Analysis

Joy and sorrow balance, mirror and complement each other, just as love unites many opposites. The suffering of inanimate cups and lutes in their formation...