The Prophet (A Borzoi Book)

A book of wisdom.

Gibran speaks for himself: 'The Prophet' has written a masterpiece.

I was first introduced to Gibran's masterpiece when I was a young intelligence analyst serving in Vietnam in 1968. You may think what an odd place to meet The Prophet, but actually a combat zone may have been the perfect locale. Vietnam was an area where man's inhumanity to man begged for something that was beautifully expressed and was profoundly true, something that was man's greatest achievement in an area of his worst. This is just one example of the power of The Prophet.The Prophet is a relatively short book that can be read in an afternoon, but its impact will endure for a lifetime. I have given copies to friends on the occasion of their weddings, and read it to every woman I ever loved. I have also recommended it to countless patients in my psychiatry practice. One would have to be dead inside not to be moved by the poetic beauty of Gibran's carefully chosen words on life, love, marriage, joy and sorrow, children and the like. It was truly inspired by God himself, so profound are its truths.This edition is equally perfect. It is hardcover and contains Gibran's own unique drawings. The paper is heavy and softly feathered, giving it an expensive appearance appropriate to the value of the writing within. It really does make a simple but valuable gift for occasions such as weddings or for others you love.If you have never read The Prophet, then you must buy some copies, read one and keep it, and give the others away to people you care about. After all these years, I cannot count the number of times that I have quoted it. It is my favorite book of all times and easily garners MY ABSOLUTE HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!!!!

A prophet has waited twelve years in a coastal town for the ship that will bear him back to his homeland, which he misses.Why he is there, why he is waiting, how he knows what he knows, and who he is is a mystery. As he departs the townspeople gather to wish him well. A local seeress who knows him best asks him to share his wisdom so that it will endure for generations to come.So, he reveals his wisdom on love, birth, marriage, children, pain, talking, pleasure, death any so much more.It is a profound work, and here is his advice on marriage so you may judge for yourself:You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.But let there be spaces in your togetherness,And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.Love one another but make not a bond of love:Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.And stand together, yet not too near together:For the pillars of the temple stand apart,And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.Its not a little similar to the Tao Te Ching: A New English Version (Perennial Classics)where a border guard recognises Lao Tzu, and asks him to share his wisdom as he goes into exile. Written 2,500 years ago, and one of the most translated books in the world. The Tao contains many principles you can use in your everyday life, and if you're not thinking in ego based ways, your wisdom based thinking opens up..If you like one book, you will love the other, so I recommend both. For the Tao, I recommend the Stephen Mitchell version. Hope this was useful.

Great

This is my all-time favorite work of literature.The first time I read this book I was 15 years old. A great friend's father (a high school guidance counselor) gave it to me in an attempt to broaden my philosophical, intellectual and literary horizons. The book had the desired effect. I opened it that afternoon and did not put it down until I had read every last page in one sitting. I was transfixed. I finished reading it in approximately three hours, front to back. My philosophy, my world view and my life were all changed forever.Tons of people have reviewed the textual content of the book but it is more than that. This work is arguably the greatest literary accomplishment of Gibran's lifetime and it isn't just textual. It is also textural. The Prophet is poetic and it inspires a sense of inner peace and harmony just by reading the words written on its pages; simple messages which resonated like a cannon in a young mind. As it turns out they still resonate in exactly the same way now that I am older. I have read The Prophet a total of 22 times during the course of my life and each time I read it I discover some new facet of my existence that I can apply its wisdom to.Over the years I have shared this amazing book with loved ones, friends, coworkers, even a university professor, who to my great surprise, had never read it. This is a seminal work and should be required reading for any person who considers himself/herself to be 'educated'.Aside from the passages in the Bible, this is the greatest work of literary art in existence. Whatever booksellers are charging nowadays for a copy of The Prophet, it is worth it.Michael E. Burgess