Kevin's Watch

"Joy is in the ears that hear"

What exactally did he mean by that?

A story shared with someone - someone that cares to listen well - enriches both the listener "ears that hear" and the teller - even when the story is painful to the teller.

At least that's MY interpretation!!

perhaps....I see it as a Giant version of "to each his own"......some might hear laughter and it will cause them to despair, while some hear laughter and feel joy....

I think it sounds like an auditory version of "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

Nerdanel wrote:I think it sounds like an auditory version of "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

That was basically what I thought of it too.

I agree and would also like to add I think their view also takes in the theory that laughter heals, so if the story is painful or tragic, by laughing it helps make it better and also, where there is laughter and joy, despair can never truly win.

Nerdanel wrote:I think it sounds like an auditory version of "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

I agree. And that, as Creator said, even sad or painful stories can bring joy to the listener, but you cannot see how unless you tell it.

--A

The full quote is: "Joy is in the ears that hear, not in the mouth that speaks."

It's up to the listener to find a positive meaning in a story, not the teller. In fact, it is the duty and obligation of the listener to find it. Refusing this task is tantamount to being a victim of despair.

As Foamfollower explained it: "The world has few stories glad in themselves, and we must have gay ears to defy Despite."

That all being said, people should not scruple to withhold a tale fearing the pain it might cause.

Yep exactly. I think they took this a little too far though (or Foamy did anyway). Like when TC delivered his message of doom to the Lords and Foamy said 'You have told us the end of all things, now laugh' or something like that then TC said 'I can't do it. 'Joy is in the ears that hear' You laugh'. So Foamy did.

As much as I appreciate a good laugh and even in the face of terrible goings on people still find time to laugh at it, If someone told me all i held dear would be destroyed in a short time I somehow don't think I could laugh. Perhaps if someone made a joke about it I would find it funny, but not be able to laugh at the news itself.

Well said WayFriend, well said indeed. And personally, I think that there is nothing so terrible that we can't make a joke, however black and sick, out of it somehow, thus lessinging the despair.

--A

I was gonna sit back and let some other posts flow, but I gotta jump in right away.

Being able to laugh, for example, when Foamfollower laughs in the Council chamber after Covenent delivers Foul's message: this is not laughing at the situation, nor is it finding something about it that's funny!

The laughter comes from joy, and the joy comes when you are able to get passed the thing that has caused you despair. When really bad things happen, it fills all your vision, and you're only outlet seems to be despair. But you can get passed it, see that it's not the whole picture. There are always good things in the world to match the bad. Happiness is not hiding from you, you just have to remember to look for it. Look for the silver lining. Find your inner wellspring of joy, tap into it, and let some happiness out. Foamfollower laughs because he remembers that he is a Giant and he is alive and while those things are true there are things that can be done, and when they are done and gone the good things that you had and that you made can't be taken from you. And if darkness should fall upon us, still the beauty of the Land endures.

A good point, but then, laughing at it serves almost the same purpose. Demonstrating that despair is not the whole of any issue. That there is more to it, whether outside of it, or within, but beyond the despair.

Agree with your explanation though. Probably a lot truer to the intent of it.

--A

Balon wrote:"Joy is in the ears that hear"

What exactally did he mean by that?

Nerdanel wrote:I think it sounds like an auditory version of "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

I saw the first post, and this is exactly what I was going to write. heh.

Good response.