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Pearls of Wisdom in “THE PROPHET” by Kahlil Gibran |
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| Paper Id :
18426 Submission Date :
2023-12-13 Acceptance Date :
2023-12-20 Publication Date :
2023-12-25
This is an open-access research paper/article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.10490496 For verification of this paper, please visit on
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| Abstract |
A poet is ‘a seer’, who sees beyond the obvious reality. He
penetrates much deeper into the truth of things. He has a skill to dive deep
into the ocean of knowledge and bring out the pearls of wisdom for the people
around. ‘THE PROPHET’ is a fable about a prophet, who had been living in the
city of Orphalese for about 12 years. In the opening pages we are informed that
he is leaving the place and going back to his home country. People of that
place gather around him to bid farewell and asked for his guidance on important
aspects of life. The book is divided in several short stories, each one of them
runs only in a page or two. The people from different walks of life poses a
question to him and the prophet artistically satisfies their precious queries
about life in the most philosophical way. The book is a beautiful compilation
of perspective on things that are important in daily life. This paper attempts
to bring forth the main ideas which the great Gibran not only perceived but
also expressed in the most poetically skilful way. Thoughts on 26 topics like
love, children, marriage, work, pain, clothes, joy and sorrow and houses and
many more expand our understanding of that “which is moving within your souls” as the poet puts it in the book. The paper
attempts to point out the universal theme, philosophical depth and humanistic
values in the book with 26 short poetic essays. |
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| Keywords | Kahlil Gibran, Prophet, Artistic Expression, Philosophical, Universal, Humanistic. | ||||||
| Introduction | To think
deeply, to give beauty to the meaning, to perceive and then express is a role
of a poet. That’s why he is called a saint, a seer and a philosopher. He
possesses the skill to bring out which is hidden. A poet’s vision can penetrate
and see the truth and not only it penetrates but also effortlessly flows into
our hearts to feel the beauty of that truth. Many have just one skill, either
to have an impression or having the skill of expression. Sometimes, people
blessed with the second skill are devoid of having the idea of what to express.
But our great poets are blessed with both the skills. They are well equipped
with the art of ‘what to express and how to express.’
When we talk
about Kahlil Gibran, we can refer him as a writer, poet, visual artist and
undoubtedly a philosopher. Kahlil Gibran was a Lebanese-American, born on
January 6, 1883, in Bisharri, a mountainous region in modern-day Lebanon. He
was a member of a Maronite Christian family. He was born into poverty, and his
father was a tax collector who was imprisoned for embezzlement, when Gibran was
young. His mother, Kamila Gibran, played a significant role in his upbringing.
Despite his family's financial struggle, Gibran developed an early interest in
art and literature. His relationship with his father was difficult and
overstrained. The boy never felt very close to his autocratic, temperamental
father who was hostile to his son’s artistic nature. His mother on the other
hand was with deepest affection and admiration. She had beautiful singing voice
with religious flavour in her personality. Though she was not educated, as
education was considered dangerous for women in those days, she somehow left a
great impact on her younger son. “it is her mothering me I remember --- the
inner me”,1 said Gibran. Fluent in Arabic and French,
artistic and musical, his mother ignited in him imagination with folk tales and
stories from Bible. In 1895, at the age of 12, Gibran and his family immigrated
to the United States, settling in Boston's South End. In Boston, he received
formal education and discovered his artistic talents. He attended art school
and later studied in Paris. He began his literary career in the early 20th
century, writing in both English and Arabic. |
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| Objective of study | The aim of the paper is to bring forth the philosophical
ideas of Kahlil Gibran. |
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| Review of Literature | The paper is focused on the first book of Gibran, "The
Prophet" but "The Wanderer" and" The Broken Wings"
have also been studied to perceive his ideas in a broader way. Lectures by
Swami Yogatmananda, the minister in charge of the Vedanta Society of
Providence, Rhode Island also served helpful to the topic. 'Lessons from the
masters of happiness and longevity' edited by Ashok Chopra was also taken in
account. The prophet by Gibran is a must read not only for the students of
literature and philosophy but for the people of different walks of life. |
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| Main Text |
Gibran’s most
famous work, "The Prophet," was published in 1923 and has since
become a classic. It reflects his philosophical views on life, love, and
spirituality. No one is interested in being lectured by the narrator. Gibran
presents a philosophical treatise on how to live life in a very interesting way
that is in a form of short essays. Under the guise of telling stories, lies the
guide of living a more peaceful and fulfilling life. Despite his relatively
short life, his works continue to be widely read and translated into numerous
languages. "The Prophet" remains one of the most translated and
best-selling books of all time. It is a story of a man named Almustafa waited
in the city of Orphalese for his ship to be back and sail him again to his
native country. From the mist he saw his ship coming. Philosophically God is
our real home that’s why he is happy to go back to his home. He is leaving that
land after 12 years. We feel that it is a land of fertile wisdom that is why
the people there are gathered around him with precious queries about life.
Kahlil Gibran's profound insight into the human condition, combined with his
poetic and artistic talents, have left a lasting impact on literature and
philosophy. His work inspires readers around the world. The answer to
the queries of the people characterized by its poetic and philosophical nature,
has left a significant impact on literature, philosophy, and spirituality. Here
are some key themes and elements found in The Prophet. One of the most
prominent aspects of Gibran's writing is the universality of his themes. His
work often explores fundamental aspects of the human experience, such as love,
pain, joy, freedom, and the quest for spiritual fulfilment. This universality
has contributed to the widespread appeal and enduring relevance of his
writings. Gibran was deeply
influenced by his Middle Eastern heritage and was interested in various
spiritual traditions, including Christianity, Islam, and mysticism. His
writings often reflect a spiritual and metaphysical perspective on life,
emphasizing the inter-connectedness of all things and the divine nature of the
human spirit. Love, in
its various forms is also a recurring theme in Gibran's work. His writings
explore romantic love, familial love, and the broader concept of love as a
guiding force in human existence. He often delves into the complexities of
relationships and the challenges and joys that come with them. Gibran
celebrated individualism and the pursuit of personal freedom. His works
encourage readers to seek their own paths, question societal norms, and embrace
the uniqueness of the individual spirit. This theme is particularly evident in
his essays on freedom and self-expression. In addition to
his literary contributions, Gibran was also a talented artist. He often
illustrated his own works, and his drawings and paintings reflect a distinctive
style. The combination of visual and literary art in his works adds a unique
dimension to the overall aesthetics. Gibran's
writing style is often described as prose poetry. His use of language is rich,
evocative, and rhythmic. This stylistic approach contributes to the emotional
impact of his work and enhances the beauty of his philosophical reflections. Kahlil Gibran's
work continues to resonate with readers across cultures and generations, as his
timeless themes and poetic expressions touch on fundamental aspects of the
human condition. His influence extends beyond literature, reaching into the
realms of philosophy and spirituality. These works,
along with his drawings and paintings, contribute to Kahlil Gibran's legacy as
a multifaceted artist and thinker whose writings continue to inspire and
resonate with readers around the world. Stories In
"The Prophet" : Each chapter
focuses on a specific aspect of life, offering profound insights and
philosophical reflections. Each chapter comprises of the questions put by the
people of Orphalese and Almustafa’s answer to those queries. Here is a brief
overview of the chapters and the stories within "The Prophet": On Love : Almustafa
speaks about love in all its dimensions. He explores the nature of love,
including romantic love, and emphasizes the importance of love in human
relationships. Love has no other desire but to fulfil it. He says, “when you
love you should not say God is in my heart but rather I am in the heart of God”2 and
he ends the answer with, “And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in
your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.”3 On Marriage : Almustafa
discusses the concept of marriage, touching on themes such as unity,
independence, and mutual understanding between partners. He explores the idea
of marriage as a shared journey. On Children : Almustafa
shares his insights on children, describing them as the arrows that the archer
sends forth into the future. He speaks about the parent-child relationship and
the role of parents in guiding and nurturing their children. Beautifully he
says, “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.”4 On Giving : Almustafa talks
about the act of giving and generosity. He emphasizes that giving is a
reflection of the giver's abundance and encourages selflessness in the act of
giving. One more beautiful quotation: “you give but little when you give of
your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”5 On Eating and
Drinking : Almustafa
provides guidance on nourishment, not only in terms of physical sustenance but
also in the context of spiritual and emotional fulfilment. He explores the
relationship between food, drink, and the soul. On Work : Almustafa
discusses the concept of work and labour, highlighting the importance of
finding joy and purpose in one's work. He encourages a balance between work and
leisure. He says that you work because you may keep pace with the earth and the
soul of the earth. Beautifully he puts forth, “when you work you fulfil a
part of earth’s furthest dream, assigned to you when that dream was born…. and
in keeping yourself with labour you are in truth loving life.” 6 On Joy and
Sorrow : Almustafa
reflects on the intertwining nature of joy and sorrow. He suggests that joy and
sorrow are inseparable and that deeper understanding and wisdom come from
experiencing both. “Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow
and your joy. Only when you are empty are you at stand still and balanced”.7 On Houses : Almustafa
speaks about the concept of houses and homes, emphasizing the idea that a house
is not just a physical structure but a place of warmth, love, and refuge.
According to him your house is your larger body. He emphasises to check whether
we have these three things in our house, they are peace, remembrance and
beauty. A house should not focus on the lust for comfort. A symbol explains it
best when he says, “it should not be a glistening film that covers a wound,
but an eyelid that guards the eye.”8 On Clothes : Almustafa
provides insights into the significance of clothing, suggesting that it goes
beyond mere covering and serves as an expression of one's identity and
individuality. On Buying And
Selling : For the master
spirit of the earth shall not sleep peacefully upon the wind till the needs of
the least of you are satisfied. Then there are
topics like crime, punishment, law and freedom. On Reason And
Passion : Priestess asks
about reason and passion to which he answers that both reason and passion are
necessary to the soul as the rudder and sails are to the ship. He concludes his
explanation by saying, “… and since you are a breath in God’s sphere,
and a leaf in God’s forest, you too should rest in reason and move in passion.”9 On Pain : When a women
asked to tell her about pain, the answer prophet puts forth is something we had
felt but not realised earlier. He says that pain is something which is breaking
of the shell that encloses understanding,10 next he speaks
about knowledge about self. On Teaching : Gibran suggests
that truly wise teacher does not simply impart knowledge but he guides his
student to explore it himself. “the teacher who walks in the shadow of the
temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith
and his lovingness.”11 He smartly takes his students to the
threshold of their own mind. On Friendship : “Your friend
is your needs answered”, Almustafa puts it beautifully. When a youth asked
about friendship, the prophet says that even without words sharing of thoughts
and desires are possible in friendship. The only purpose in friendship is the
deepening of the spirit. On Talking : When a scholar
asked about talking, he answered, which is one of the most quotable thoughts, “you
talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts. And when you can no
longer dwell in the solitude of your heart you live in your lips, and sound is
a diversion and a pastime”12 then in the next few pages he
talks about time, prayer, good and evil. On Pleasure : A hermit who
has renounced life’s pleasures asks about pleasure from the prophet. The
prophet says that pleasure is a freedom song. He presents a metaphor of bee and
flower, where the flower gives and the bee takes, which results in pleasure.
Prophet asks to be true and treat pleasure as a give and take relationship. He
advises the people of Orphalese to be in pleasure like the flower and the bee. In the last few
pages he talks about beauty, religion and death. These chapters,
or prose poems, cover a wide range of topics, and each offers timeless wisdom
and reflections on the human experience. One of the
strengths of "The Prophet" is its exploration of universal themes
that resonate with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Gibran
addresses fundamental aspects of human experience. Another feature is that
Gibran's work is characterized by its philosophical depth. Each chapter
contains poetic essays that delve into the complexities of life, offering
readers thought-provoking reflections on the human condition. The philosophical
nature of the work invites readers to contemplate and engage with the ideas
presented. The prose in "The Prophet" is lyrical and elegant. Gibran's use of language is often praised for its beauty and simplicity. The poetic quality of the writing enhances the emotional impact of the book and contributes to its enduring appeal. For deeper meanings Gibran uses symbols and metaphors. The use of allegorical storytelling, such as the prophet Almustafa addressing the people of Orphalese, adds layers of interpretation to the text. The allegorical framework allows readers to find personal significance in the narrative. |
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| Conclusion |
The book promotes
humanistic values, emphasizing love, compassion, and understanding. Gibran
encourages a harmonious and compassionate approach to life, relationships, and
the pursuit of personal fulfilment. The
inter-connectedness of themes in "The Prophet" contributes to the
coherence of the work. While each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of life,
the themes are interwoven, creating a holistic view of the human experience.
This inter-connectedness reinforces the idea that different aspects of life are
intricately linked. "The Prophet" has maintained its relevance over time. Its enduring popularity suggests that the themes and insights presented by Gibran continue to resonate with readers across generations. The book's enduring appeal lies in its ability to address perennial questions and challenges of the human experience. In a nut shell "The Prophet" is a work of profound beauty and wisdom that has captivated readers for decades. Its universal themes, philosophical depth, lyrical prose, and humanistic values contribute to its status as a classic piece of literature. The beauty of Gibran is that you understand it better with the passing of time. |
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| References | 1.https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/b/bushrui-gibran.html?pagewanted=all 2. The Greatest
Works of Kahlil Gibran (12 Books in one Omnibus Edition), Jaico Publishing
House, Mumbai, 2001, Pg 12 3. Ibid, Pg 15 4. Ibid, Pg 20 5. Ibid, Pg 24 6. Ibid, Pg 32 7. Ibid, Pg 37 8. Ibid, Pg 40 9. Ibid, Pg 60 10. Ibid, Pg 61 11. Ibid, Pg 67 12. Ibid, Pg 71 https://www.youtube.com/live/NFuAVv3Aw8E?feature=shared 13. Chopra Ashok, ed. Lessons from the Masters on Happiness & Longevity, printed at Thomson Press (India) Ltd. Faridabad, Haryana 2012 |
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