Gibran was kissed by God the day he wrote this.
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It's simplistically and beautifully expressed, yet there are untold depths to be discovered within this masterpiece. The story is essentially about of a prophet that lived as a pauper on an island, amongst a small community. After 12 years there, his ship has come to take him home and the people are asking him to speak on various subjects before he departs. Each chapter begins with, "Speak to us of..."
It's the sole book that I can honestly read over and over again, and I've done exactly that too. I've probably read it about 100 times - no exaggeration! Reason being that I traveled with this book through Europe with it constantly at my side; on my nightstand and in my tote. You can pick it up and start reading anywhere within. I had the feeling that which ever chapter I happened to open up to was exactly what I needed to hear that day, and more than half the time I would read right through to the end from wherever I'd started (which would usually create a desire to read from the beginning the very next day, etc...).
It's my experience that once you've read it numerous times, a larger picture emerges where all within it seems to unite in one ethereal theme, and the message is very powerful. It's a message that is impossible to express in words, but somehow becomes very clear after reading it many times. It provides an understanding of human nature that I believe is unparalleled by any other work of literature, and covers every dynamic of our experience here on earth in an unbelievably short book. A few titles of the chapters may give you an idea of what I mean:
Marriage
Friendship
Crime & Punishment
Joy & Sorrow
Work
Freedom
Laws
Children
Teaching
Below are a few quotes (some are my personal favorites, like the first one). A little taste for you, by chapter:
Good & Evil:
"Of the good in you I can speak, but not of the evil.
For what is evil but good tortured by its own hunger and thirst?
Verily when good is hungry it seeks food even in dark caves, and when it thirsts, it drinks even of dead waters."
...."For when you strive for gain you are but a root that clings to the earth and sucks at her breast.
Surely the fruit cannot say to the root, 'Be like me, ripe and full and ever giving of your abundance.'
For to the fruit giving is a need, as receiving is a need to the root."
Reason & Passion:
"Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against passion and your appetite.
Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody.
But how shall I, unless you yourselves be also the peacemakers, nay, the lovers of all your elements?"
....
"Among the hills, when you sit in the cool shade of the white poplars, sharing the peace and serenity of distant fields and meadows - then let your heart say in silence, 'God rests in reason.'
And when the storm comes, and the mighty wind shakes the forest, and thunder and lightning proclaim the majesty of the sky, - then let your heart say in awe, 'God moves in passion.' "
Self-Knowledge:
"Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights.
But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge.
You would know in words that which you have always known in thought.
You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams.
And it is well you should."
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I highly recommend getting the edition that has the same cover as the picture I have associated with this review here, as it includes Gibran's own moving figure drawings. The picture on the front of the book is actually a self-portrait. I am always looking for this version in paperback rather than hard cover because I think it's the perfect gift, but it's a rare find.
Another "fun fact" about this book, is that it's been sold in more languages and more times than any other book, except the Bible. I believe this book is a sort of "universal Bible" - it really speaks to all faiths and souls.
You can read the entire book here:http://leb.net/~mira/works/prophet/prophet.html
...but of course, I recommend you get your own copy to cherish!
Last edited on Jun 05, 2008
The Prophet is recommended by JusttheFactsMa-am
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