This too shall pass
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This too shall pass (Hebrew: גם זה יעבור, gam zeh ya'avor) is a saying commonly used to offer condolences or sympathy to someone in pain or suffering.
"King Solomon once searched for a cure against depression. He assembled his wise men together. They meditated for a long time and gave him the following advice: Make yourself a ring and have thereon engraved the words 'This too will pass.' The King carried out the advice. He had the ring made and wore it constantly. Every time he felt sad and depressed, he looked at the ring, whereon his mood would change and he would feel cheerful" -(Israel Folklore Archive # 126)
Kim Stanley Robinson's version: "The King asked his wise men for some single thing that would make him happy when he was sad, but sad when he was happy. They consulted and came back with a ring engraved with the message 'This Too Will Pass'." -(Red Mars)
While the phrase is common in Persian: "In Niz Bogzarad", Turkish: "Bu da Geçer Yahu" and Russian: "Eta tozha pra’ediot", tracing its association with the ring tale proves more elusive. How the tale originated and spread across the world remains a mystery shrouded in time but what is even more astounding is the existence of actual rings, amulets and even tattoos engraved with the philosophical words "This, too, shall pass" or "Gam Zeh Yaavor" in Hebrew.
While the phrase 'Gam Zeh Yaavor' or 'This, too, shall pass' seems to have its philosophical roots in Maimonides ('Regimen of Health', III), wearing the ring itself has a powerful emotionally therapeutic effect and acts as a perpetual 'memento vita', reminding one to appreciate and celebrate every passing moment.
While pointing to the fleetingness of time, the phrase itself is timeless, being literally true at any given moment when it is uttered since that moment of remembering too will pass.
Abraham Lincoln's version 'Address Before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee, Wisconsin' (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!
Isak Dinesen 'Daguerreotypes and Other Essays':
An old Chinese mandarin, during the minority of the young Emperor, had been governing the country for him. When the Emperor came of age the old man gave him back the ring which had served as emblem of his vicariate, and said to his young sovereign: "In this ring I have set an inscription which your dear Majesty may find useful. It is to be read in times of danger, doubt and defeat. It is to be read, as well, in times of conquest, triumph and glory." The inscription in the ring read: "This, too, will pass." The sentence is not to be taken to mean that, in their passing, tears and laughter, hopes and disappointments disappear into a void. But it tells you that all will be absorbed into a unity. Soon we shall see them as integral parts of the full picture of the man or woman.
Warren Hastings 'Selections from the Letters and Correspondence of Sir James Bland Burges' (1885):
"When I reflect upon my present circumstances - when I listen to the railings of my accusers, and when my spirit rises up against them - I call to mind the story of an Indian king whose temper never knew a medium, and who in prosperity was hurried into extravagance by his joy, while in adversity grief overwhelmed him with despondency. Having suffered many inconveniences through this weakness, he gave notice that, on his forthcoming birthday, the most acceptable present which any of his courtiers could make would be a sentence short enough to be engraved on a ring, and suggesting a remedy for the grievance of which he complained. Many phrases were accordingly proposed, but not one that was satisfactory, until his daughter came forward and offered him an emerald on which were engraved two Arabic words, the literal translation of which is, “This, too, will pass.” The king embraced his child, and declared that she was wiser than all his wise men. Now when I appear at the bar, and hear the violent invectives of my enemies, I arm myself with patience. I reflect upon the mutability of human life, and say to myself, “This, too, will pass.”"
Chekhov's 'My Life':
"King David had a ring with an inscription on it: 'All things pass.' When one is sad those words make one cheerful, and when one is cheerful it makes one sad. I have got myself a ring like that with Hebrew letters on it, and this talisman keeps me from infatuations. All things pass, life will pass, one wants nothing. Or at least one wants nothing but the sense of freedom, for when anyone is free, he wants nothing, nothing, nothing" "If I wanted to order a ring for myself, the inscription I should choose would be: "Nothing passes away." I believe that nothing passes away without leaving a trace, and that every step we take, however small, has significance for our present and our future existence"
Theodore Tilton's Poem:
Once in Persia reigned a king, Who upon his signet ring Graved a maxim true and wise, Which, if held before his eyes, Gave him counsel at a glance Fit for every change and chance. Solemn words, and these are they, "Even this shall pass away." Trains of camels through the sand Brought him gems from Samarcand; Fleets of galleys through the seas Brought him pearls to match with these; But he counted not his gain Treasures of the mine or main; "What is wealth?" the king would say; "Even this shall pass away." 'Mid the revels of his court, At the zenith of his sport, When the palms of all his guests Burned with clapping at his jests, He, amid his figs and wine, Cried, "O loving friends of mine; Pleasures come, but not to stay, 'Even this shall pass away." Lady, fairest ever seen, Was the bride he crowned his queen. Pillowed on his marriage bed, Softly to his soul he said: "Though no bridegroom ever pressed Fairer bosom to his breast, Mortal flesh must come to clay Even this shall pass away." Fighting on a furious field, Once a javelin pierced his shield; Soldiers, with a loud lament, Bore him bleeding to his tent. Groaning from his tortured side, "Pain is hard to bear," he cried; "But with patience, day by day, Even this shall pass away." Towering in the public square, Twenty cubits in the air, Rose his statue, carved in stone. Then the king, disguised, unknown, Stood before his sculptured name, Musing meekly: "What is fame? Fame is but a slow decay, Even this shall pass away." Struck with palsy, sore and old, Waiting at the Gates of Gold, Said he with his dying breath, "Life is done, but what is Death?" Then, in answer to the king, Fell a sunbeam on his ring, Showing by a heavenly ray, "Even this shall pass away."
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