Product Description

First published in the 1920s, this book attempts to provide the reader with a guide to living. Gibran lets his protagonist, called simply the prophet, deliver homilies on a variety of topics central to daily life: love marriage and children, work and play, possessions, beauty, truth, joy and sorrow and death.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #65383 in Books
• Published on: 1972-11-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 86 pages

From the Author
If Gibran had written Annabi in Arabic, this is it.
As I translated this work, Gibran was in my soul, in my heart, and at my fingertips. I am both humbled and honoured to have been the translator; for me that is sufficient, for the words, the sentiments, the language and its cadences are all those of Gibran.

Customer Reviews

Compared to Most Out There Today, Extremely Deep
This is one of the first (literary) books I recall reading. My mother kept a collection of Gibran's works that she often read. I was curious to see what attracted her, so I looked into them too ( I was either eight or nine at the time). I believe that was my first taste of spirituality and seemed at the time more relevant than what I was being force-fed by nuns in catechism class. Rereading Gibran now, I'm struck by the notion that Hesse must have been aware of these texts before he wrote Siddhartha. They contain many of the same themes: No one else can guide you on your path. You must select your own course. Preachers and prophets are a dime a dozen. True wisdom comes from within.

The prophet's teaching on love is particularly relevant to me at this stage of my life:

"For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself. He threshes you to make you naked. He sifts you to free you from your husks. He grinds you to whiteness. He kneads you until you are pliant; And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast."

Look into these books. They may appear simplistic to the jaundiced eye, but they may also provide the inspiration you need to see you through life's travails

Words of inspiration and wisdom for every facet of life.
I first came across Kahlil Gibran when I found an extract from The Prophet in an anthology about friendship. The Prophet's description of friendship epitomises the strength and comfort one finds in a true and close friend and evokes the ambiance of such a relationship - warmth, sustanence, cherished time etc.

I instantly fell in love with Gibran's writing, and so was thrilled to find there was more. The Prophet's poetic descriptions of all aspects of life have been a joy and inspiration. I have often found just the right phrase or sentiment to capture a particular moment in my life and in the lives of people I love and admire.

I have owned several copies of The Prophet, but somehow always find someone I want to give it away to - it is the kind of book that I feel brings a blessing on anyone who takes time to look at life through the unique lens Gibran offers.

Prophet
This may be a short book, but it is full of insight. It is perfect to dip into at odd moment for that renewed spiritual focus or uplift, or just as good to read in one sitting. It is a classic with good reason and cuts to the core with it's deceptively simple style. There is much depth to this book to be explored and comes highly recommended.