Timeless themes, beautiful writing. I especially love how he calls out religious hypocrisy while maintaining a sense of love and joy and tenderness.

beautifully written :"

A beautiful book that I would call a reader's dessert. So much wisdom and beauty.

"..and Love is justice with its full intensity and dignity. If justice did not support my love for you, regardless of your tribe and community, I would be a deceiver concealing the ugliness of selfishness behind the outer garment of pure love. "
"... he who does not find human guidance within himself will perish desperately. Life emerges from within, and derives not from environs."

The Life of Love

Spring

"Come, my beloved; let us walk amidst the knolls,
For the snow is water, and Life is alive from its
Slumber and is roaming the hills and valleys.
Let us follow the footprints of Spring into the
Distant fields, and mount the hilltops to draw
Inspiration high above the cool green plains.

Dawn of Spring has unfolded her winter-kept garment
And placed it on the peach and citrus trees; and
They appear as brides in the ceremonial custom of
the Night of Kedre.

The sprigs of grapevine embrace each other like
Sweethearts, and the brooks burst out in dance
Between the rocks, repeating the song of joy;
And the flowers bud suddenly from the heart of
Nature, like foam from the rich heart of the sea.

Come, my beloved; let us drink the last of Winter's
Tears from the cupped lilies, and soothe our spirits
With the shower of notes from the birds, and wander
In exhilaration through the intoxicating breeze.

Let us sit by that rock, where violets hide; let us
Pursue their exchange of the sweetness of kisses.
...
Winter
....
Come close to me, oh beloved of my soul; the
Fire is cooling and fleeing under the ashes.
Embrace me, for I fear loneliness; the lamp is
Dim, and the wine which we pressed is closing
Our eyes. Let us look upon each other before
They are shut.
Find me with your arms and embrace me; let
Slumber then embrace our souls as one.
Kiss me, my beloved, for Winter has stolen
All but our moving lips.

You are close by me, My Forever.
How deep and wide will be the ocean of Slumber,
And how recent was the dawn!"

Peace
...
"At dawn the two stood in the middle of the field contemplating the beauty of Nature injured by the tempest. After a deep and comforting silence, the soldier said to his sweetheart, "Look at the Darkness, giving birth to the Sun."

Before the Throne of Beauty

""Beauty is that which attracts your soul, and that which loves to give and not to receive. When you meet Beauty, you feel that the hands deep within your inner self are stretched forth to bring her into the domain of your heart. It is the magnificence combined of sorrow and joy; it is the Unseen which you see, and the Vague which you understand, and the Mute which you hear - it is the Holy of Holies that begins in yourself and ends vastly beyond your earthly imagination."

Sorry, guys, I never really got the Kahlil Gibran thing. Sure, I know it's soothing and heartwarming and elegantly written spaghetti bolognaise for the soul and all, but... I found myself laughing in places the author never intended, and falling asleep over the rest of it. If Gibran's writing truly brings comfort to you, then I truly wish you the best and apologize for my levity, but what has to be said has to be said.

However, for those that love the work of this highly regarded (in certain circles) Lebanese poet/philosopher there's no denying this volume represents good value. A huge collection of writings in various genres, and if you want the definitive collection, this is the one to get. Those "on the fence", however, might want to check him out in smaller doses before they make up their minds.

And here's an interruption of everything. Got hold of The Treasury of Kahlil Gibran. Everything else I was reading is definately pushed to the side. Love him!!!

Beautifully crafted masterpieces...

This is one of the most beautiful books of poetry I have ever read. Poems about god, love, and life are the theme of his writings. He talks about the vices of man and those who suffer because of it, he talks of true love and how we suffer because we deny it to ourselves, and he talks out against the false voices of god (i.e. monks who steal from the poor). It is inspiring to see a man talk out against the way women are treated in such a beautiful way. I just happened to discover this book at a used bookstore and I am so very glad I did. This is one I will reread and I hope to pass on to my children.

I feel like a better person for reading the writings of Khalil Gibran.

Poems are nice to read, especially the ones describing the seasons passing in his native Lebanon. But his social commentary after the first hundred pages begins to be very predictable, with the stories almost writing themselves.

Some of the things he writes are so topical, no matter when and where they are set. Other ideas...pretty Utopian and unrealistic. I think that most of the people that really "grooved" on hsi writings in the 60's, 70's were probably a little high on more than life, but it was still nice to listen to.

By far, my favorite of all the Kahlil Gibran books that I own.