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I was vaguely aware of this as (I thought) woo-woo spirituality. I was pleased to discover that it is better than that; in particular I thought it rather good on love and personal relationships, and I can see why people who are uncomfortable with any specific religious tradition like to use it for rites of passage, especially weddings.
It’s interesting that all three of the top 1923 books address death as a fundamental part of what they are doing, though I’ll admit that The Prophet is some distance from Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. The second last chapter is explicitly “On Death”, and in the last chapter the Prophet himself bids farewell to the priestess and departs from the city departs in a heavily laden metaphor.
Gibran is not so sound on social and political issues, where the message of the book is to try and find the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, without much thought to finding the courage to change the things you can, or the wisdom to know the difference. You can’t have everything, I suppose.
But it’s short, and digestible, and nicely illustrated by the author. ( )
I'm sorry that I waited so long to read this and will need to read it again many times. The original illustrations didn't add anything for me so maybe a different edition, also one without so many typographic errors.
A fascinating book, and it is likely to be one of the only books in the self-help genre that will make a lasting impact on me. The Prophet is not preachy and doesn't aim to be. Contrary to what some people might think, I don't feel this book prompts you to believe in a Supreme Power ™ - if you believe in it, Gibran would be happier, of course – but at one point, Gibran states that, at the risk of not paraphrasing – 'better to concentrate on people here rather than the God above'. There's also an insane number of quotes spread about like diamonds – memorable examples of which include - I teach you not silence, but rather a song not over-loud. Not yet have I been caged by wisdom. Too young am I and too verdant to speak of aught but self. The space between you and your neighbour unbefriended is greater than those between you and your beloved who dwells beyond seven lands and seven seas. Call nothing ugly, my friend, save the fear of a soul in the presence of its memories. I also loved that it's so short, and today's self-help books should learn a thing or two about editing from this one. The Prophet, in its essence, is a mishmash of inspirational quotes attributed to a fictional prophet, and it somehow works – and it doesn't look to have aged at all. ( )
Clearly, I didn't quite "get" this book. Essentially it is a book with a very minimalist story line whereby a prophet comments on many life issues i.e. love, happiness, anger, work, etc. etc. Each chapter provides insights on these life topics.
I actually quite like philosophy and have read and struggled with other philosophical texts, but this one just didn't grab ME personally. I didn't feel like I had many "ah ha" moments where I thought the author had this fabulous unique insight that I hadn't ever thought of before.
That being said, the language is lovely and definitely poetic. And there certainly is wisdom contained in the words. But I didn't feel totally compelled by it. I may try re-reading it, as it is blessedly short, just to make sure I didn't just miss something. ( )
Beautifully written (rings Biblical) and had many passages of considerable wisdom. [See binder] Not sure how well it’ll stick with me on the first read alone. Fairly optimistic and I think monadic? In-text drawings were whatever but I love the cover portrait. I recommend this to my friend Zac or anyone really. Short read. ( )
Oplysninger fra den engelske Almen VidenRedigér teksten, så den bliver dansk.
Almustafa, the chosen and the beloved, who was a dawn unto his own day, had waited twelve years in the city of Orphalese for his ship that was to return and bear him back to the isle of his birth.
Citater
Oplysninger fra den engelske Almen VidenRedigér teksten, så den bliver dansk.
You have been told that, even like a chain, you are as weak as your weakest link. This is but half the truth. You are also as strong as your strongest link. To measure you by your smallest deed is to reckon the power of the ocean by the frailty of its foam.
And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of desperation.
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. And when he speaks to you believe in him...
Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
And what is fear of need but need itself? Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable?
And in winter, when you draw the wine, let there be in your heart a song for each cup. And let there be in the song a remembrance for the autumn days, and for the vineyard, and for the winepress.
Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
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. When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Verily the lust for comfort murders the passion of the soul, and then walks grinning in the funeral.
And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.
Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understand.
Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.'
The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.
No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge.
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.
Yet the timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness, and knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream.
And that which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space.
But regret is the beclouding of the mind and not its chastisement.
He who wears his morality but as his best garment were better naked.
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have read the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, than shall you truly dance.
Sidste ord
Oplysninger fra den engelske Almen VidenRedigér teksten, så den bliver dansk.
"A little while, a moment of rest upon the wind, and another woman shall bear me."
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3
I was vaguely aware of this as (I thought) woo-woo spirituality. I was pleased to discover that it is better than that; in particular I thought it rather good on love and personal relationships, and I can see why people who are uncomfortable with any specific religious tradition like to use it for rites of passage, especially weddings.
It’s interesting that all three of the top 1923 books address death as a fundamental part of what they are doing, though I’ll admit that The Prophet is some distance from Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. The second last chapter is explicitly “On Death”, and in the last chapter the Prophet himself bids farewell to the priestess and departs from the city departs in a heavily laden metaphor.
Gibran is not so sound on social and political issues, where the message of the book is to try and find the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, without much thought to finding the courage to change the things you can, or the wisdom to know the difference. You can’t have everything, I suppose.
But it’s short, and digestible, and nicely illustrated by the author. (