From Mother of Sorrows, by Richard McCann:

"He says that sadness is arrogance and vanity. The things that sadden us are actually blessings, he says, coming to us from a universe that's concealed."

and

"When it comes to the dead, there are simply more of them than there are of us."

and

"But sometimes, says Rabbi Stollman, an unhappy person can best work his way toward God by being silent, just as a hungry person can work his way toward God by delaying his meal."