The Eye of the Prophet

by Kahlil Gibran

The Eye of the Prophet

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality, Poetry, Nonfiction, Literature, Inspirational

155 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

About the author

Kahlil Gibran (Arabic: جبران خليل جبران ) was a Lebanese-American artist, poet, and writer.
Born in the town of Bsharri in modern-day Lebanon (then part of Ottoman Mount Lebanon), as a young man he emigrated with his family to the United States where he studied art and began his literary career. In the Arab world, Gibran is regarded as a literary and political rebel. His romantic style was at the heart of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, especially prose poetry, breaking away from the classical school. In Lebanon, he is still celebrated as a literary hero.
He is chiefly known in the English-speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose. The book sold well despite a cool critical reception, gaining popularity in the 1930s and again, especially in the 1960s counterculture.
Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.

Reviews

[Shaimaa Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's Gibran ..what can I say more!

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best philosophical book I've read. It's a great reading for people with faith and people not affiliated with religions. At no point throughout the book did I feel ashamed or scared of myself because of ideas I don't follow. The chapters on Marriage, Love, Cities, and Prayer are my favorites.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

"For each man is nothing more than a water colour sketch".

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook narrated by music legend Johnny Cash--who was a big fan of Kahlil Gibran and very open-minded spiritually speaking. He brought authenticity to the words on the pages. The writing was very interesting and heavily pilosophical. Recommended for spiritual free-thinkers who do not conform to any one religion.

[Janice Raquela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

[Janan Kardoush · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a spiritual inspired book. Could not stop reading.

[U2+ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Khalil Gibran’s writing is the most beautiful thing i have ever had the chance to read. His genius use of intrusively sane but insane thoughts baffle me.

[Iqra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eye of the Prophet is a luminous collection of Gibran's writings translated from Arabic into French and English. Here the author is the poetic, philosophical moralist, grounded in Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity, seeking the best in people, refusing to separate humankind from the natural world.

Quotes:

"The most subtle beauties of our life are invisible and inaudible."

"Truth is like the stars; it does not appear except from behind obscurity of the night. Truth is like all beautiful things in the world; it does not disclose its desirability except to those who first feel the influence of falsehood. Truth is a deep kindness that teaches us to be content in our everyday life and share with the people the same happiness."

"Braving the miseries of life is more noble than shutting yourself up in silence. The moth that flutters round the fire until its own death is more admirable than the moth who lives in a dark tunnel."

"A limited love wants to possess the beloved being, but he whose self is a vast ocean only seeks his own shores."

"Those who have not been chosen by love as its disciples cannot hear its appeals."

"When we lose a friend we are comforted and consoled by seeing around us those who remain. When we lose our fortune we think about it for a time. Then, knowing that the efforts which assured us of opulence will return to assist us, we forget it. But if we lose a love, where can we go to seek peace of mind?."

[Nickole Codico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot not give a 5 star to my favorite poet, Kahlil Gibran, and altho it would take me, maybe a few more wise years to understand some passages, I would give it a 5 star now.

This is a translated work, and for this collection, maybe there are missed nuances from the original but I am satisfied with the translation♥️ the words are still singing and serving!

now the collection is from the different works of Gibran and I felt like the pieces are puzzle pieces that fit perfectly into this one whole book. anyway, The Eye of the Prophet started really political (it rings true up to this day. note that Gibran is a poet oft he 1900s), then dove into different aspects of earthly wisdom, women, emotions, leading ultimately into spiritual, which is Gibran's central theme in most of his works.

[Nataly Dybens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read prose poetry in a while. It was refreshing though took me a while to really get into. Around page 60 I started liking every single "new chapter". As we're on quarantine and there were some deep thoughts packed in this fairly small book, I took it slow and tried to not read too many at a time, but let my thoughts sink into each part. Philosophy, spirituality, and more can be found here.

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook solely because it was read by Johnny Cash. I had no other interest in the book or the author and I didn't get anything out of it. But I enjoyed listening to Johnny Cash. So 1 star for the book and 1 star for Johnny Cash.

[Ester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reason without understanding is like an unguarded house.

In the house of ignorance there is no mirror in which to contemplate your soul.

The true riches of a nation lie not in its gold or silver but in its aptitude to educate itself and in the degree of integrity possessed by its children.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Mistrie Dawn]

Beautifully written!!

[Emma Ghanem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t want to worship the Bible or any other religious text. I only want to worship, study, and live by Kahlil Gibran’s words

[B. AGHA]

I feel humbled to say my opinion about this masterpiece. A tresor in humanity.

[Nicolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really beautiful collection. I was sad it was a quick read though, even though one could spend hours on one sentence alone.

[Nemo Oblomov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like reading a good bible book

[Hasan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another lovely little book. While I was going through it I came across a lot of passages which were actually taken from previous works of Gibran. Most notably "Broken Wings". I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't already read his previous works. It's a great book to give to somebody as a present who isn't really aware with Gibran's writings.

[Richie Arvidson]

Poetry and aphorisms by a deeply religiously inspired poet from Lebanon. Translated poetry so much rhythm and rhyme is lost but what is left is still beautiful, poignant and human- more focused on life than God.
Step back, wisdom that does not weep,
philosophy that does not laugh, and greatness that does not bow down before children.

[Tamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is nice and well put together collection of poems from Gibran. The poems in the book were taken from his younger days, before he began to write his work in English. The collection of poems are translated. None-the-less, it's a great book for poetry lovers.

[Sepideh]

اين كتاب اثري از جبران است كه احساساتش را در مورادي چون خدا"زن و عشق و...به شكلي زيبا بيان مي كند وخواندش خالي از فايده نيست .

[John Patrick Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as The Prophet obviously. Random collection of writings that change back and forth from prose-like to more direct. A few good parts, but most of it kept me wishing for more.

[Hans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially modern psalms put to prose. Full of interesting anecdotes about life. Beautifully written.

[Cayter Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

timeless... one of my favorite books of all time

[karlito delacasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

un bon complément au prophète

"Ne retournent à l'Eternité que ceux qui l'ont cherchée sur terre."

[Edith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A meditative collection that examines life. Looking forward to reading Gibran's masterpiece, "The Prophet".

[Sarah Amr · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites books

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not understand this book. Too deep for me.