Nunc lento sonitu dicunt, Morieris.
(Now this bell tolling softly for another, says to me, Thou must die.)

Perchance [she] for whom this bell tolls may be so ill as that [she] knows not it tolls for [her]; and perchance I may think myself so much better than I am, as that they who are about me and see my state, may have caused it to toll for me, and I know not that. [...] As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come, so this bell calls us all; but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by [these troubles]. There was a contention [...] which of the religious orders should ring to prayers first in the morning; and it was determined that they should ring first that rose earliest. If we understand aright the dignity of this bell that tolls for our evening prayer, we would be glad to make it ours by rising early, in that application, that it might be ours as well as [hers] whose indeed it is. The bell doth toll for [her] that thinks it doth; and though it intermit again, yet from that minute that that occasion wrought upon [her], [she] is united to God. Who casts not up [her] eye to the sun when it rises? But who takes off [her] eye from a comet when that breaks out? Who bends not [her] ear to any bell which upon any occasion rings? But who can remove it from that bell which is passing a piece of [herself] out of this world? No [woman] is an island, entire of itself; every [woman] is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any [woman's] death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. . . .

Paraphrased from Meditation 17 by John Donne

A slightly different thrust of topic, but the sentiment and meaning are relevant, and in line with what Erin says. An increase in the rights and welfare of all to all benefits by degrees. If my neighbor's welfare is assured, then mine is closer to being secured.

At least in theory. There are exceptions and circumstances that circumvent this, but the principle is still, I think, sound.

Though our own situations may not be relieved by this, and though not all the friends whose are have been fully true, nonetheless, it >is< a good thing, and a cause for rejoicing among them. It is a surly and unwelcome neighbor who complains when their neighbor receives good news that they also did not hear a good word. When the news heard may eventually have welcome echoes for us as well, it is doubly more appropriate that we rejoice with our neighbors. We may not celebrate to an irrational degree, for the news, as many have said, is not the news we wish to hear for ourselves, but we may still smile a little and call it good. When, then, our own struggles finally bear their fruit, will we not have neighbors with us to share own own celebrations?

I don't know. I ramble, which I have been told I shouldn't, and undoubtedly someone will object to the language I've used, or the references to the christian god (which were in the poem originally, and have been trimmed actually rather aggressively).

*sigh*

-Liz