Quote by Henry David Thoreau
We feel at first as if some opportunities of kindness and sympathy were lost, but learn afterward that any pure grief is ample recompense for all. That is, if we are faithful; -- for a spent grief is but sympathy with the soul that disposes events, and is as natural as the resin of Arabian trees. -- Only nature has a right to grieve perpetually, for she only is innocent. Soon the ice will melt, and the blackbirds sing along the river which he frequented, as pleasantly as ever. The same everlasting serenity will appear in this face of God, and we will not be sorrowful, if he is not.
Summary
This quote highlights the idea that although we may initially feel regret for missed opportunities to show kindness and empathy, we later realize that experiencing genuine grief is a sufficient compensation in itself. The quote implies that if we remain faithful in our grief, it becomes a form of sympathy with the natural order of events, similar to the resin produced by Arabian trees. It suggests that perpetual grief is the realm of only nature, for only nature is innocent. However, it also conveys the notion that as time passes and nature renews itself, we too will find solace and serenity, unburdened by sorrow, if the face of God does not display grief either.
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