Book Review: The Prophet by Khalil Gibran

Country: Lebanon

“… a boundless drop to a boundless ocean.”

The Prophet by Khalil Gibran

What should I write about this book that hasn’t already been said? Selecting this book for Lebanon for the MENA reading challenge was a no brainer. It has been on my to-read shelf for as long as I’ve had one.

The middle-east is home to many religions and has given the world many prophets. The most well-known prophets are those of the 3 Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). There were also the prophets who introduced Zoroastrianism and the Bahai’ Faith to the world. Khalil Gibran was inspired by these prophets and their philosophies as well as the philosophies introduced to the world by prophets further east. Therein lies the universal appeal of this slim masterpiece of spiritual literature.

So instead of writing a review of this timeless masterpiece, I would instead like to share my most favourite quotes from the book.

“And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation” (Chapter 1 The Coming of the Ship)

“When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And When his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.” (Chapter 2 On Love)

“Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.” (Chapter 2 On Love)

“Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.” (Chapter 3 On Marriage)

“Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.” (Chapter 4 On Children)

“It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding” (Chapter 5 On Giving)

“When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.” (Chapter 8 On Joy & Sorrow)

“Verily the ocean laughs always with the innocent.” (Chapter 13 On Laws)

“Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgement wage war against your passion and your appetite.” (Chapter 15 On Reason & Passion)

“You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts” (Chapter 20 On Talking)