"I was once traveling on a ship," recounted Rabban Gamliel, "when I saw another ship that had been wrecked. My heart grieved especially for one of its passengers, the great sage Rabbi Akiva. When I reached land and resumed my studies I suddenly saw him sitting before me and discussing spiritual matters with me.
"I said to him, “My son, who pulled you up?”
Rabbi Akiva replied: "A plank from the ship came my way and I clung to it. When each wave came surging towards me I bowed my head and let it pass over me."
--Talmud, Yevamos 121
My Soul, my Soul, all disturbed by sorrows inconsolable,
Bear up, hold out, meet front-on the many foes that rush on you
Now from this side and now that, enduring all such strife up close,
Never wavering; and should you win, don't openly exult,
Nor, defeated, throw yourself lamenting in a heap at home,
But delight in things that are delightful and, in hard times, grieve
Not too much—appreciate the rhythm that controls men's lives.
--Archilochus
