Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Kahlil Gibran (Lebanese-born American Philosopher)

Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931,) was a Lebanese-American poet, artist, and writer. His most notable work The Prophet has inspired song lyrics and political speeches, and have been recited at weddings and funerals all around the world.

Gibran’s writings in both Arabic and English are deeply romantic, displaying his religious and mystical nature. Political leaders considered his thoughts poisonous to youth. One of his books, Al-Arwah al-Mutamarrida (1908; Rebellious Spirits,) was burnt in the Beirut’s souks shortly after it was published.

Gibran was also a painter schooled in the symbolist tradition in Paris in 1908. He mixed with the intellectual elite of his time, including figures such as W. B. Yeats, Carl Jung, and Auguste Rodin. He painted over 700 pictures, watercolors, and drawings.

By the 1930s, Gibran had become a prominent and charismatic figure within the Lebanese community and New York literary circles. Much of his success is attributable to Mary Haskell, a progressive Boston schoolteacher who became his sponsor, confidante, and editor. Their affiliation developed into a love affair; though Gibran proposed to her twice, they never married.

Gibran is best known for The Prophet (1923.) Translated into over 50 languages, it has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. The book’s 26 prose poems are presented as sermons by a fictional wise man called Al Mustapha. On the verge of setting sail for his homeland after 12 years in exile, the people of the island that was his home ask him to share his wisdom on the big questions of life: love, marriage, family, children, work, and death.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Kahlil Gibran

By losing your goal, you have lost your way.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Goal

Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Generosity, Pride, Attitude

Nor shall derision prove powerful against those who listen to humanity or those who follow in the footsteps of divinity, for they shall live forever. Forever.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Faith

What do the nationalists say about killers punishing murderers and thieves sentencing looters?
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Patriotism

They deem me mad because I will not sell my days for gold; and I deem them mad because they think my days have a price.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Money, Value of a Day, Time Management

The teacher gives not of his wisdom, but rather of his faith and lovingness.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Teaching

Would that I were a dry well, and that the people tossed stones into me, for that would be easier than to be a spring of flowing water that the thirsty pass by, and from which they avoid drinking.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Drinking

They consider me to have sharp and penetrating vision because I see them through the mesh of a sieve.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Perception

All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Words

The biggest thing in today’s sorrow is the memory of yesterday’s joy.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Past, Regret, Reflection, Moving on

We were a silent, hidden thought in the folds of oblivion, and we have become a voice that causes the heavens to tremble.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Power

When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music. Which of you would be a reed, dumb and silent, when all else sings together in unison?
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Work, Music

I wash my hands of those who imagine chattering to be knowledge, silence to be ignorance, and affection to be art.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Knowledge, Affection

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Death, Potential

If the grandfather of the grandfather of Jesus had known what was hidden within him, he would have stood humble and awe-struck before his soul.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Religion

Always you have been told that work is a curse and labour a misfortune. But I say to you that when you work you fulfil a part of earth’s furthest dream, assigned to you when that dream was born, And in keeping yourself with labour you are in truth loving life, And to love life through labor is to be intimate with life’s inmost secret.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Earth, Life, Truth, Dream, Love

Every man is two men; one is awake in the darkness, the other asleep in the light.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Self-Discovery

March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life’s path.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Adversity

If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees.
—Kahlil Gibran

Yesterday is but today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’s dream.
—Kahlil Gibran

The just is close to the people’s heart, but the merciful is close to the heart of God.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Mercy

Much of your pain is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Difficulties, The Mind, Adversity

The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Simplicity, Time Management, Value of a Day

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.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Sympathy, Crying, Perspective, Joy

Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the voices of Life. Even if their counsel is displeasing to you, pay heed to them.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Age, Experience

We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Perception, Positive Attitudes, Sorrow, Optimism, Choices, Attitude, Choice, Joy, Health

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Beauty, Light, One liners

Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country?
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Service

You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life’s procession, that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite.
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Work

What is this world that is hastening me toward I know not what, viewing me with contempt?
—Kahlil Gibran
Topics: Faith

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