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This
book, which is Gibran’s Masterpiece, has become one of
the beloved classics of our time. Published in 1923, it
has been translated into more than twenty languages, and
the American edition alone has sold more than four
million copies. It contains his philosophy on major
concepts in human life, such as love, joy,
self-knowledge, freedom, Law, religion, reason, etc.
Here is a summary of some of the concepts.
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Love
When
love comes to you, follow him, though his ways are hard
and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
though its hidden sword may wound you. For even as he is
for your growth, he is for your pruning. Even as he
ascends you to your height, so shall he descend to your
roots and shake them. But if in your fear you would seek
only love’s peace and pleasure, then it is better for
you to cover yourself into the seasonless world, where
you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep,
but not all of your tears.
Love
gives nothing but itself, and takes nothing but from
itself. Love does not possess, nor would it be
possessed. And do not think that you can direct the
course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy,
directs your course. Love has no other desire but to
fulfill itself.
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Giving
You
give little, when you give of your possessions. It is
when you give of yourself, that you truly give. For what
are your possessions, but things that you keep and guard
for fear that you may need them tomorrow. And what is
fear of need but need itself. There are those who give
little of the much they have, and they give it for
recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts
unwholesome. And there are those who have little and
give it all. There are those who give with joy, and that
joy is their reward. There are those who give with pain
and that pain is their baptism. And there are those who
give and know no pain in giving, nor do they seek joy,
nor give with mindfulness of virtue. They give as the
flowers spread their fragrance into space. Through the
hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their
eyes he smiles upon the earth. And to the open-handed
the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than
giving.
-Pain
Your
pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your
understanding. Just as the stone of the fruit must
break, so that its heart may stand in the sun, so must
you know pain. And if you keep your heart in wonder at
the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not
seem less wondrous than your joy. If you accept the
seasons of your heart, as you have always accepted the
four seasons, you would watch with serenity 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. Therefore, trust the physician,
and drink his remedy in silence and tranquility. For his
hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender
hand of the Unseen.
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Death
How
will you find the secret of death, unless you seek it in
the heart of life. In the depth of your hopes and
desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond. Like
seeds dreaming beneath the snow, your heart dreams of
spring. Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate
to eternity. Only when you drink from the river of
silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached
the mountaintop, then shall you begin to climb. And when
the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly
dance.
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