"I would not exchange the laughter of my heart for the fortunes of the multitudes; nor would I be content with coverting my tears, invited by my agonized self, into calm. It is my fervent hope that my whole life on this earth will ever be tears and laughter." -Kahlil Gibran

"We who live amid the excitements of the city know nothing about the life of the mountain villagers. We are swept into the current of urban existence, until we forget the peaceful rhythms of simple country life, reap in autumn, rest in winter, imitating nature in all her cycles. We are wealthier than the villagers in silver or gold, but they are richer in spirit. What we sow we reap not; they reap what they sow. We are slaves of gain, and they the children of contentment. Our draught from the cup of life is mixed with the bitterness and despair, fear and weariness; but they drink the pure nectar of life's fulfillment." -Kahlil Gibran