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The Prophet

By Khalil Gibran

 

Of all the books of this author, the Prophet has perhaps the widest appeal. Because of its immense popularity since its publication in 1923, it is offered in this compact and companionable format.

The Chicago Post said of it: “Truth is here; truth expressed with all the music and beauty and idealism of a syrian untouched by the harshness of life. Cadenced and vibrant with feeling,. The words of Kahlil Gibran bring to one’s ears the majestic rhythm of Ecclesiastes…”

 

Alfred A Knopf   Publisher N.Y. 

THE PROPHET – SELF KNOWLEDGE

And a man said, speak to us of self knowledge.
And he answered, saying:
Your heart knows in silence the secrets of the days and the nights.
But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart’s knowledge.
You would know in words that which you have always known in thought.
You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams.
And it is well you should.
The hidden well – spring of your soul must needs rise and run murmuring to the sea;
And the treasure of your infinite depths would be revealed to your eyes.
But let there be no scales to weigh your unknown treasure;
And seek not the depths of your knowledge with staff or sounding line.
For self is a sea of boundless and measureless.
Say not, “ I have found the truth, but rather, I have found a truth.”
Say not, “I have found the path of the soul.”
Say rather,” I have met the soul walking upon my path.”
For the soul walks upon all paths.
The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.
The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.