Lebanese-American writer, poet, and painter (1883–1931)
17 quotes in the MindQuotes library.
Reading guide
With Gibran, form matters as much as idea: read slowly and keep the passages that truly stay with you.
Our starting point
A poetic, universal first encounter
Its short chapters on love, work, children, and freedom naturally extend the experience of the quotations.
Continuing after The Prophet
A more meditative continuation for readers who enjoyed his spiritual, image-rich voice.
Merchant links help compare editions. Recommendations are editorially independent.
“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.”Create visual
“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.”Create visual
“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.”Create visual
“To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to.”Create visual
“Life without love is like a tree without blossom and fruit.”Create visual
“And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”Create visual
“Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.”Create visual
“Love is the only flower that grows and blossoms without the aid of seasons.”Create visual
“Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.”Create visual
“The very strength that protects the heart from injury is the strength that prevents the heart from enlarging to its intended greatness within. The song of the voice is sweet, but the song of the heart is the pure voice of heaven.”Create visual
“Happiness is a myth we seek , If manifested surely irks; Like river speeding to the plain, On its arrival slows and murks . For man is happy only in His aspiration to the heights ; When he attains his goal, he cools And longs for other distant flights.”Create visual
“And what is word knowledge but a shadow of wordless knowledge?”Create visual
“He who repeats what he does not understand is no better than an ass that is loaded with books.”Create visual
“Knowledge and understanding are life’s faithful companions who will never prove untrue to you. For knowledge is your crown, and understanding your staff; and when they are with you, you can possess no greater treasures.”Create visual
“Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge.”Create visual
“Unable to perceive the shape of you, I find you all around me. Your presence fills my eyes with your love, it humbles my heart, for you are everywhere.”Create visual
“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”Create visual