The Prophet

First published in 1923 ‘The Prophet’ is a collection of twenty-six prose poems delivered as sermons by a fictional wise man in a faraway time and place written by Kahlil Gibran a Lebanese author philosopher poet and artist. His poetry is renowned for its usage of formal language and insights on topics of life using spiritual terms. Wrote his best-known works in English Kahlil Gibran was the pivotal figure in a Romantic movement that transformed Arabic Literature in the first half of the twentieth century. ‘The Prophet’ is considered one of the greatest classics of our time. In the book the prophet Almustafa who has lived in the foreign city of Orphalese for twelve years is about to board a ship that will carry him home. He is stopped by a group of people with whom he discusses many issues of life and the human condition. Writing with understanding hope and incredible compassion for the human condition Kahlil Gibran explores ideas of joy and sorrow friendship good and evil pleasure reason and passion conveying humanity’s yearning for a Unity of Being only obtained through love. It continues to enlighten millions worldwide with its timeless phrases of love and mystical longing. CONTENTS The Coming of the Ship Love Marriage Children Giving Eating and Drinking Work Joy and Sorrow Houses 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 Death The Farewell