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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000067.txt from 2004/08

From: Oboeeee@-----.com
Subj: [DR-L] Quote of the Day
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2004 21:49:11 -0400

Soon after John=E2=80=99s death, I listened to a music-box, and if, at any t=
ime, that=20
event had seemed inconsistent with the beauty and harmony of the universe, i=
t=20
was then gently constrained into the placid course of nature by those steady=
=20
notes, in mild and unoffended tone echoing far and wide under the heavens. B=
ut=20
I find these things more strange than sad to me. What right have I to grieve=
,=20
who have not ceased to wonder? We feel at first as if some opportunities of=20
kindness and sympathy were lost, but learn afterward that any pure grief is=20
ample recompense for all. That is, if we are faithful; for a great grief is=20=
but=20
sympathy with the soul that disposes events, and is as natural as the resin=20=
on=20
Arabian trees. Only Nature has a right to grieve perpetually, for she only i=
s=20
innocent. Soon the ice will melt, and the blackbirds sing along the river=20
which he frequented, as pleasantly as ever. The same everlasting serenity wi=
ll=20
appear in this face of God, and we will not be sorrowful if he is not.

-Henry David Thoreau (1817=E2=80=931862) American philosopher, author, natur=
alist
*On the death of his brother

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