Angelus Silesius (1624 - 1677)
ALL WORKS ARE ALIKE TO GOD
Man's works are level before God.
To Him the Saint is full as dear
When he lifts up his cup to drink
As when he lifts his voice in prayer.
GOD VALUETH THE WORK ACCORDING TO THE WORKER
Know this for sure-the good man's sleep
Is more of worth in God's own sight
Than all the cry the sinner makes,
Chanting and praying through the night.
WHAT THE SAINT DOTH, GOD DOTH IN HIM
'Tis God Himself who in the Saint
Enacts the Saint's activities,
God walks, stands, sleeps, wakes, eats and drinks,
And the Saint's courage too is His.
THOU MUST GO TO THE SOURCE
Water is pure and clean when at the well-head quaffed:
Drink'st thou not at the Spring, there's danger in the draught.
READINESS MODIFIES THE BLOW Is not the Wise Man sad at heart
When Sorrow knocketh at his door?-
He's made all ready long ago
To welcome such a Visitor.
SUFFERING IS MORE PROFITABLE THAN JOY
Man, hadst thou only known the good
And profit Suffering can bestow,
Surely thou wouldst have chosen it
Rather than Pleasure, long ago.
Man's works are level before God.
To Him the Saint is full as dear
When he lifts up his cup to drink
As when he lifts his voice in prayer.
GOD VALUETH THE WORK ACCORDING TO THE WORKER
Know this for sure-the good man's sleep
Is more of worth in God's own sight
Than all the cry the sinner makes,
Chanting and praying through the night.
WHAT THE SAINT DOTH, GOD DOTH IN HIM
'Tis God Himself who in the Saint
Enacts the Saint's activities,
God walks, stands, sleeps, wakes, eats and drinks,
And the Saint's courage too is His.
THOU MUST GO TO THE SOURCE
Water is pure and clean when at the well-head quaffed:
Drink'st thou not at the Spring, there's danger in the draught.
READINESS MODIFIES THE BLOW Is not the Wise Man sad at heart
When Sorrow knocketh at his door?-
He's made all ready long ago
To welcome such a Visitor.
SUFFERING IS MORE PROFITABLE THAN JOY
Man, hadst thou only known the good
And profit Suffering can bestow,
Surely thou wouldst have chosen it
Rather than Pleasure, long ago.