“Whatever fate befalls you, do not give way to great rejoicings or great lamentation; partly because all things are full of change, and your fortune may turn at any moment; partly because men are so apt to be deceived in their judgment as to what is good or bad for them.” –Schopenhauer.
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The same point is made in an Eastern parable that my mother often quotes.
One day, an old farmer discovered that his horse had run away. “Terrible!” his neighbors said sympathetically. “How do you know?” asked the farmer.
The next morning the farmer’s horse returned with two wild horses. “Wonderful!” the neighbors said. “How do you know?” asked the farmer.
The next morning the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg. “Terrible!” his neighbors said. “How do you know?” asked the farmer.
The next morning, soldiers came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. “Wonderful!” said the neighbors. “How do you know?” asked the farmer.
