If the thought of sorrow spoils your joy, yet it prepares
you for joy.
Sorrow sweeps the house fiercely, emptying it of
everything, then, coming from the Source of goodness,
a new joy enters.
Sorrow chases away the withered leaves in the heart,
then new green leaves can grow.
Sorrow uproots the previous joy, then a new delight
springs from beyond.
Mathnawi V, 3678/3681
Translated by Muriel Maufroy
Breathing Truth - Quotations from Jalaluddin Rumi
Sanyar Press - London, 1997
