The Prophet : Kahlil Gibran

This book, The Prophet was first published in 1923. Kahlil Gibran, the author, instantly placed himself on highest platform of human thinking with the publication of this book.

Kahlil Gibran ( 1883-1931) , a Lebanese writer and thinker was versatile. He was an artist also and drew many sketches which are considered today as metaphysical. He setteled in New York, America. But apart from being an influential thinker, writer and artist Gibran was an alcoholic to the marrow. He died of liver cancer due to execissive drinking of alcohol.

The prophet is a story of a chosen man of god, Almustafa, who lives in a small town of Orfelis. He waited for twelve years for a ship to come which will take him to the land he was born. The ship did came but as he was about to board the people of town came to him to ask the questions of wisdom. Almustafa discourses them. This small book is nothing but commentries on life by Kahlil Gibran put on the mouth of Almustafa.

Gibran's way of seeing life is entirely different as is evident from his writing. He divided the book into various chapters such as Life, Love, Fear, Unhappiness, Law, Marriage, Punishment, Freedom, Sorrow, Friendship, Time, Blissfulness, Beauty etc etc. What Gibran writes, reminds me of J. Krishnamurthy.

Some of his writings:-

1. When love calls you, you should follow it. Although it's way is very difficult. When love opens it's wings, you should devote yourself to it even if the sword hidden in those wings may wound you.

2. Love on one hand crowns you and on the other hand crucifies you. On one hand it develops your soul and on the other hand cuts you in into pieces.

3. Your clothes hide what is beautiful in you but cannot hide what is ugly in you.

4. If you really want to witness death then open your heart fully to life. B'coz life and death are the same just as river and sea are the same.

5. Mostly, the kindness which sees itself in the mirror turns into stone.

And like this the story goes on. Almustafa departs from Orfelis with a promise to come back. The Prophet is Kahlil Gibran's masterpiece.

This book, I love a lot.