This Too Shall Pass
by Avatar on Apr 23, 2009 in Wisdom
The phrase “This Too Shall Pass” came from Jewish wisdom folktale, involving King Solomon. I love the phrase and the story that originated the phrase. Have you heard of the story? There are many version available but I took the one I found on wikipedia (as of 23rd April 2009) and made some editing, here it is:
One day, King Solomon decided to humble Benaiah Ben Yehoyada, his most trusted minister. King Solomon said to him, “Benaiah, there is a certain ring that I want you to bring to me. I wish to wear it for Sukkot which gives you six months to find it.”
Benaiah replied, “If it exists anywhere on earth, your majesty, I will find it and bring it to you but what makes the ring so special?”
King Solomon answered, “It has magic powers, if a happy man looks at it, he becomes sad, and if a sad man looks at it, he becomes happy.” King Solomon knew that no such ring existed in the world but he wished to give his minister a little taste of humility.
Spring passed, then summer and still Benaiah had no idea where he could find the ring. On the night before Sukkot, he decided to take a walk in one of the poorest quarters of Jerusalem.
He passed by a merchant who had begun to set out the day’s wares on a shabby carpet. Benaiah asked, “Have you by any chance heard of a magic ring that makes the happy wearer forget his joy and the broken-hearted wearer forget his sorrows?”
He watched the grandfather take a plain gold ring from his carpet and engrave something on it. When Benaiah read the words on the ring, his face broke out in a wide smile.
That night the entire city welcomed in the holiday of Sukkot with great festivity. King Solomon asked, “Well, my friend, have you found what I sent you after?” All the ministers laughed and Solomon himself smiled. To everyone’s surprise, Benaiah held up a small gold ring and declared, “Here it is, your majesty!”
As soon as Solomon read the inscription, the smile vanished from his face. The jeweler had written three Hebrew letters on the gold band: gimel, zayin, yud, which began the words Gam zeh ya’avor — This too shall pass. At that moment Solomon realized that all his wisdom and fabulous wealth and tremendous power were but fleeting things, for one day he would be nothing but dust.
Abraham Lincoln made the phrase and story popular in his ‘Address Before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee, Wisconsin’ on September 30, 1859.
It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: “And this, too, shall pass away.” How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction! – Abraham Lincoln
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I enjoyed the story of this too shall pass. There seems to be a number of variation to the same lesson. Thanks for sharing the one here!
Evelyn Lim on Apr 23, 2009.
‘This too shall pass.’ … It is a great affirmation which reminds us of the transitory nature of the events in our life (whether full of sorrow or happiness). Every passing day we should remind our self about this great truth of life…to remain calm in every situation. Thanks for sharing. God bless.
Surjit on Apr 23, 2009.
The phrase, “This too shall pass” is a reassuring reminder during periods of perceived suffering. Whenever human beings forget to focus on the present, this permits fear to grow and thoughts of negative possibilities to take shape. To remind oneself about impermanence is to remember what it is like to experience the power of now. Eckhart Tolle writes in depth about the wisdom found in stillness. Peace of mind is always within. People simply need to relearn how to tap into it. They temporarily forget.
Liara Covert on Apr 23, 2009.
Thank you for enlightening me on the story behind the phrase! I now have an expanded view from which to respond next time I hear it.
Susanhanshaw on Apr 23, 2009.
Hi~
I like the version of the story that you found. I never knew exactly where that saying originated from. :)
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Giovanna Garcia on Apr 23, 2009.
Evelyn Lim,
You’re welcome. Thank you for your comment. :)
Surjit,
Yes, true because everything will change, nothing stays the same. So, this phrase is good to remind our self to be calm no matter what happens.
Liara Covert,
Since the day I learned the phrase “This Too Shall Pass,” I have become more aware about the present. Learning stillness takes lots of effort and relearn is necessary to remind ourselves. By the way, I haven’t read Eckhart Tolle books, I’m sure will check it out soon.
Susan,
I’m glad you now have an expanded view. It’s good to know this story, it increases our level of awareness about the truth of the phrase.
Giovanna Garcia,
Thank you. I’m happy to know you like this version too. :)
Avatar on Apr 24, 2009.
Thank-you for sharing this great story! I love it. Love that the brilliant Lincoln used this in his speech! A wonderful lesson that we all should master.
Mark on Apr 24, 2009.
Mark,
I’m glad you like you it too. It’s good that Lincoln shared his opinion about the phrase in his speech. One of the reason I posted this story is to show that Lincoln too have used the wisdom from the story and phrase.
Avatar on Apr 25, 2009.
A brilliant story! I had heard of that phrase but didn’t know the story behind it. I have heard that these words “This too shall pass.” are written in a hospital ward in my city. Thanks for sharing such inspiring words.
Amritbir Kaur on Apr 27, 2009.
Hi! I’ve heard the phrase “This too shall pass” before but can’t quite pinpoint where. But, I did enjoy reading about it’s origin. Such a wonderful story. Thanks so much for sharing it!
Many Blessings,
Roxanne and Hugo ~ Believe Achieve
Hugo and Roxanne on May 1, 2009.
Amritbir Kaur,
Now you know the story, with some wisdom. :)
Roxanne and Hugo,
I have heard of it too but I started using the phrase only after I found the story. Thank you for your comment.
Avatar on May 1, 2009.
Very interesting that story. It’s like the Yin and Yang of the English language. The statement can either work in times of affliction or in times of pride.
BIO: Being Inward Outward on May 26, 2009.
BIO,
Yes, it works every time. :)
Avatar on May 30, 2009.