Our Highest Joys

Author Unknown

Our high­est joys suc­ceed our griefs,
And peace is born of pain;
Smiles follow bit­ter blind­ing tears,
As sun­shine fol­lows rain.

We gain our rest through wea­ri­ness,
From bit­ter draw the sweet:
Strength comes from weak­ness, hope from fear,
And vic­to­ry from de­feat.

We reap where we have sown the seed;
Gain is the fruit of loss;
Life springs from death and, at the end,
The crown suc­ceeds the cross.