The Prophet
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Average rating4.3
Kahlil Gibran’s masterpiece, The Prophet, is one of the most beloved classics of our time. Originally published in 1923; this book has been translated into more than twenty languages, and the American editions alone have sold more than nine million copies.
The Prophet is a collection of poetic essays that are philosophical, spiritual, and, above all, inspirational. Gibran’s musings are divided into twenty-eight chapters covering such sprawling topics as love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, housing, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death.
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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.
Reminds me alot of [b:The Richest Man in Babylon 1052 The Richest Man in Babylon George S. Clason https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348336780l/1052.SY75.jpg 5265]
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