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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
I love Gibran's poetry, it is absolutely beautiful.
There was a while that I was carrying this book around with me so that I can pull out a relevant poem to read or share with other people (when appropriate!) if a particular topic came up that felt connective to a particular poem.
All of the poems in this book are connected to a prophet who's conversations with God when deserted through a shipwreck has given them insight on many parts of life. I am not necessarily a religious person, but I think that this book contains wisdom that is accessible whether or not you believe in divinity since the God language is simply the way that Gibran expresses a larger and deeper truth/wisdom that doesn't necessitate a particular theology or lack-there-of.
My personal favourite poem is "on work" which is a beautiful articulation of what work, and more specifically what meaningful work is. I take this poem as a discussion on the need for many humans to create, and do something meaningful in life that they can put their hearts and souls into, and not as a discussion about how meaningful jobs under capitalist systems are LOL. Gibran even says (paraphrasing here) "those who cannot work with love should sit at the temple gates and take alms from those who do" which I take to mean that it is not worth working for those who aren't able to engage in meaningful love-filled work for whatever reason. As an artist, this poem to me can substitute the word "work" with "art" and mean essentially the same thing, using "art" in a broad sense to mean any sort of creative and meaningful expression made tangible into the world through some sort of action.
This book will always be a cherished collection that I return to.
There was a while that I was carrying this book around with me so that I can pull out a relevant poem to read or share with other people (when appropriate!) if a particular topic came up that felt connective to a particular poem.
All of the poems in this book are connected to a prophet who's conversations with God when deserted through a shipwreck has given them insight on many parts of life. I am not necessarily a religious person, but I think that this book contains wisdom that is accessible whether or not you believe in divinity since the God language is simply the way that Gibran expresses a larger and deeper truth/wisdom that doesn't necessitate a particular theology or lack-there-of.
My personal favourite poem is "on work" which is a beautiful articulation of what work, and more specifically what meaningful work is. I take this poem as a discussion on the need for many humans to create, and do something meaningful in life that they can put their hearts and souls into, and not as a discussion about how meaningful jobs under capitalist systems are LOL. Gibran even says (paraphrasing here) "those who cannot work with love should sit at the temple gates and take alms from those who do" which I take to mean that it is not worth working for those who aren't able to engage in meaningful love-filled work for whatever reason. As an artist, this poem to me can substitute the word "work" with "art" and mean essentially the same thing, using "art" in a broad sense to mean any sort of creative and meaningful expression made tangible into the world through some sort of action.
This book will always be a cherished collection that I return to.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Beautiful prose and philosophy by Gibran. Initially, I came into The Prophet with the idea that it was a seminal book in Arab-American literature, which is true, but it’s also much more than that. It seems like the summation of Gibran’s philosophy, and with it comes one of my favorite portrayals of God; less as a singular all-powerful entity, but as a force all around at all times.
Impossible to put down. Your first reading will definitely not be your last. Took a second to get into the style of writing but after that it was bliss.
A must-read for everyone. I have had this book with me since I was in high school and re-read sections every now and then. Gibran's wisdom is dynamic, resonating with me in varied ways throughout my life.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
Overall: 3/5
Feeling: OK
Recommend: Selected Friends.
The book "The Prophet" is written by a Lebanese Kahlil Gibran also known as Khalil Jubran. Khalil’s book "The Prophet" has never been out of print since it was first published.
In this book, the Prophet(Al Mustafa) was in exile for 12 years in the city of Orphalese and is about to set sail for his home. The people gather around the ship and longing to discuss various aspects of life like love, death, home, clothes, food, etc. Seer Almitra who deeply believes in prophet opens questions and answers sessions. The book discusses 26 taxing questions on life as poetry, parables.
The book has good insights on life spiritually. A few times, It was hard to follow but enjoyable. Kahlil is underrated genius and the book 'The Prophet' proves it. Other works by Kahlil include Eye Of the Prophet, The Madman, Mirrors Of the Soul, and The Broken Wings. Kahlil was facing issues with Alcoholism and died in 1931 due to Cirrhosis - disease caused by long term liver damage. After his death Gibran became the third best-selling author of all time, first being William Shakespeare,2nd being Lao-tzu.
Few quotes I liked from the book is as follows:
"You often say; I would give, but only to the deserving."
"What have you in these houses and what is it you guard with fastened door?"
"Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against your passion and your appetite."
"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding."
"Much of your pain is self-chosen."
"Your friend is your needs answered."
"You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts; And when you can no longer dwell in the solitude of your heart you live in your lips, and sound is a diversion and a pastime. And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered."
"You are good when you are one with yourself."
--Cheers
.- Happy Reading -.
Feeling: OK
Recommend: Selected Friends.
The book "The Prophet" is written by a Lebanese Kahlil Gibran also known as Khalil Jubran. Khalil’s book "The Prophet" has never been out of print since it was first published.
In this book, the Prophet(Al Mustafa) was in exile for 12 years in the city of Orphalese and is about to set sail for his home. The people gather around the ship and longing to discuss various aspects of life like love, death, home, clothes, food, etc. Seer Almitra who deeply believes in prophet opens questions and answers sessions. The book discusses 26 taxing questions on life as poetry, parables.
The book has good insights on life spiritually. A few times, It was hard to follow but enjoyable. Kahlil is underrated genius and the book 'The Prophet' proves it. Other works by Kahlil include Eye Of the Prophet, The Madman, Mirrors Of the Soul, and The Broken Wings. Kahlil was facing issues with Alcoholism and died in 1931 due to Cirrhosis - disease caused by long term liver damage. After his death Gibran became the third best-selling author of all time, first being William Shakespeare,2nd being Lao-tzu.
Few quotes I liked from the book is as follows:
"You often say; I would give, but only to the deserving."
"What have you in these houses and what is it you guard with fastened door?"
"Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against your passion and your appetite."
"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding."
"Much of your pain is self-chosen."
"Your friend is your needs answered."
"You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts; And when you can no longer dwell in the solitude of your heart you live in your lips, and sound is a diversion and a pastime. And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered."
"You are good when you are one with yourself."
--Cheers
.- Happy Reading -.
Lots of reread potential here. A wonderful little book of wisdom on all kinds of subjects from a fictional prophet.
Favorite Excerpt:
"Your daily life is your temple and your religion.
Whenever you enter into it take with you your all.
Take the plough and the forge and the mallet and the lute,
The things you have fashioned in necessity or for delight.
For in revery you cannot rise above your achievements nor fall lower than your failures.
And take with you all men:
For in adoration you cannot fly higher than their hopes nor humble yourself lower than their despair.
And if you would know God be not therefore a solver of riddles.
Rather look about you and you shall see Him playing with your children.
And look into space; you shall see Him walking in the cloud, outstretching His arms in the lightning and descending in rain.
You shall see Him smiling in flowers, then rising and waving His hands in trees."
Favorite Excerpt:
"Your daily life is your temple and your religion.
Whenever you enter into it take with you your all.
Take the plough and the forge and the mallet and the lute,
The things you have fashioned in necessity or for delight.
For in revery you cannot rise above your achievements nor fall lower than your failures.
And take with you all men:
For in adoration you cannot fly higher than their hopes nor humble yourself lower than their despair.
And if you would know God be not therefore a solver of riddles.
Rather look about you and you shall see Him playing with your children.
And look into space; you shall see Him walking in the cloud, outstretching His arms in the lightning and descending in rain.
You shall see Him smiling in flowers, then rising and waving His hands in trees."