The Prophet

A hugely influential philosophical work of prose poetry Kahlil Gibrans The Prophet is an inspirational allegorical guide to livingFirst published in the 1920s The Prophet is perhaps the most famous work of religious fiction of the twentieth century and has sold millions of copies in more than twenty languages. Gibrans Prophet speaks of many things central to daily life: love marriage death beauty passion eating work and play. The spiritual message he imparts of finding divinity through love blends eastern mysticism religious faith and philosophy with simple advice. The Prophet became the bible of 1960s culture and was credited with founding the New Age movement yet it still continues to inspire people around the world today. This edition is illustrated with Gibrans famous visionary paintings.His work goes on from generation to generationDaily MailTo read it was to transcend ordinary levels of perception to become aware ... of a more intense level of beingIndependent Review “This book cracked my heart wide open. And I think it’s going to do the same to yours. . . . I’ve read The Prophet more times than I can count. I’ve owned and given away dozens of copies. I have one packed permanently in my travel bag. . . . The Prophet and the man behind it freed the poet in me. . . . Almost a hundred years later it still feels as fresh and as relevant as ever. Why have I read it dozens of times? Because it doesn’t feel like reading. It feels like listening to my favorite song. . . . [Kahlil Gibran] is the conductor the words are his orchestra and he makes them dance off the page and land softly in your belly. . . . This book is not just for poetry lovers. It is for anyone wondering what this thing we call life is about. [It is] an anchor a lifeline and a friend.” -Rupi Kaur from the Foreword “Cadenced and vibrant with feeling the words of Kahlil Gibran bring to one’s ears the majestic rhythm of Ecclesiastes. . . . If there is a man or woman who can read this book without a quiet acceptance of a great man’s philosophy and a singing in the heart as of music born within that man or woman is indeed dead to life and truth.” -Chicago Post “Exquisite . . . simply a masterpiece.” -The Independent (London) “Like most wisdom most of what [Kahlil Gibran] has to tell is ancient the possession of all men who have thought much and hard about fundamental things. . . . But on it all there is also the imprint of a rich and unusual personality. . . . Gibran offers no short-cuts to happiness no easily mastered formulae for successful living. Essentially he bids you look closely into your own heart and mind.” -The New York Times About the Author Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) was among the most important Arabic language writers of the twentieth century. Poet philosopher and artist his works have been translated into numerous languages and his drawings and paintings have been exhibited all over the world.The Prophet is his most famous work. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Almustafa the chosen and the beloved who was a dawn unto his own day had waited twelve years in the city of Orphalese for his ship that was to return and bear him back to the isle of his birth.And in the twelfth year on the seventh day of Ielool the month of reaping he climbed the hill without the city walls and looked seaward; and he beheld his ship coming with the mist.Then the gates of his heart were flung open and his joy flew far over the sea. And he closed his eyes and prayed in the silences of his soul.But as he descended the hill a sadness came upon him and he thought in his heart:How shall I go in peace and without sorrow? Nay not without a wound in the spirit shall I leave this city.Long were the days of pain I have spent within its walls and long were the nights of aloneness; and who can depart from his pain and his aloneness withou