Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet

To read an excerpt from Gibran's The Prophet click on "Read More".


"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.
Even as the stone of the fruit must break,
that its heart may stand in the sun,
so must you know pain.
And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life,
your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;
and you would accept the seasons of your heart,
even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.
And you watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.
Much of your pain is self-chosen.
It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self."

"But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness
and pass out of love's threshing floor.
Into the season-less world where you shall laugh,
but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears...."

"Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
to rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
to return home at eventide with gratitude;
and then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your hear and a song of praise upon your lips."