The Prophet

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.

If there is one book you want to keep with you forever it's this one.
It is not a religious book, it is a spiritual one. I rarely read religious or spiritual books but Gibran's poetic prose is exquisite. It massages your soul and leaves you wishing you too could express yourself in such a profound and beautiful way.

The passage on Children is one of my favorites.

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you, but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love, but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts
You may house their bodies but not their souls.
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backwards nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

There are certain books that speak to the heart and send shivers up the spine as you read them. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran is one of those books. It will help make you a better person, it will help dampen demons in the soul, it will help set perspectives, it will help you to never underestimate your self-worth, it will make you question if you are doing enough to help your fellow human, and it will help inspire you to level up your appreciation of the world around you. Truly, truly amazing! But enough of me babbling on. Here are some of my favorite quotes. ❖ “ The hidden well-spring of your soul must needs rise and run murmuring to the sea;And the treasure of your infinite depths would be revealed to your eyes.But let there be no scales to weigh your unknown treasure;And seek not the depths of your knowledge with staff or sounding line.For self is a sea boundless and measureless.” ❖❖ “The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.Let your bending in the Archer's hand be for gladness;For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.” ❖❖ “Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”But I say unto you, they are inseparable.Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.” ❖Its in the public domain on project gutenburg or on audio at librovox. Give it a go. ⭐ Rating ⭐❖ 6 out of 5 ❖