Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet and The Art of Peace

by Kahlil Gibran

Cena Jána Hollého 2008 za preklad poézie

Toto najvyššie ocenenie udelil Literárny fond za preklad diela Chalíl Džibrán: Prorok a Umenie pokoja (vydavateľsto SPN – Mladé letá) prekladateľovi Milanovi Richterovi

a zároveň vydavateľstvo SPN – Mladé letá získalo Poctu Literárneho fondu za významný edičný čin.

Cena Jána Hollého – udeľuje sa každoročne za preklad, ktorý svojou umeleckou hodnotou a profesionálnym majstrovstvom prevyšuje ostatnú celoročnú produkciu prekladov na Slovensku v predchádzajúcom kalendárnom roku.


Nádherné darčekové vydanie dvoch najznámejších diel svetoznámeho autora - Prorok a Prorokova záhrada - i niekoľkých menej známych a do slovenčiny doteraz nepreložených. Kniha obsahuje množstvo reprodukcií významných diel z oblasti výtvarného umenia, ktoré zosilňujú vnímanie autorových myšlienok a úvah o rozličných sférach ľudského života konfrontovaného s večnosťou. Väzba s imitáciu hodvábu len zdôrazňuje luxusné grafické spracovanie.

Genres: Poetry, Philosophy, Religion, Classics

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

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

[Putri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew Kahlil Gibran the lebanesse writer/poet whom his real name was Gibran Kahlil Gibran and his works were compared to Dante's, Blake's and Rodin's and that his works called the prophet is one of the most highly regarded poems of modern time.
Long time ago, My former boyfriend used to quote his poems to impress me. But at that time I didn't want to buy any of his books to read more about him. I'm not a poetic person, I was struggling to intrepet Chairil Anwar back when I was in school and eventhough rarely I wrote love poems for my former boyfriends and if at all it were like unpoetic poems.

Until one day, I remember it was monday afternoon, I had tea with my favorite couple (now they split up) at Border in singapore a year ago, they gave me this book. I was so agog because of its beautiful purple colour cover, the crispiness of the papers and the beauty of the pictures inside te book. It's so exquisite. And felt like returning the book to them and asked them to buy me Zara's or mango's top instead. But it never happened when I opened the first page, I loved it.
Now I realized why my former boyfriend was so hooked on this Poet, simply because he's fantastic.
And this book it's all about Kahlil Gibran writings, starting from the famous "the Prophet", The garden of the prophet, the madman,the wanderer, etc.

And I sounded like my former boyfriend but this is one of his many poems that I really really love:

Marriage

Then Almitra spoke again and said,
And what of Marriage, master?
And he answeared saying:
You were born together, and together you shall be for evermore.
You shall be together when the 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 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.

[Suzana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a bible to me. It sits in my night table and I re-read it every once in a while. I was introduced to "The Prophet" and Khalil Gibran's writings when I was 19 yrs old. It's a cool, soothing drink for my soul.

[Sham Issa · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب بسيط ومبسط، كدليل ارشادي نحو اعظم المصطلحات اهميةً في دنيانا هذه، وفيه بالتأكيد ومضات للوقوف عندها والتأمل.

[Mohd Abbas · Rating 5 out of 5]

أول كتاب أقرأه لجبران خليل جبران وهو من أدباء المهجر (لبناني الأصل) عاش في الفترة (1883-1931) وتوفي وهو في الثامنة والاربعين من عمره ، وكتابه هذا هو أشهر كتبه ، كتبه باللغة الانجليزية وترجم إلى أكثر من 50 لغة ، الكتاب ذو مضمون اجتماعي تأملي فلسفي .. يتكلم فيه جبران عن نبي في مدينة أورفليس - وهي مدينة وهمية – ونبي غير معروف حيث أن النبي يهم بمغادرة المدينة بعد أن قضى فيها اثنتي عشرة سنة ، وقبل الوداع تحلّق الناس حوله يسألونه ويحدثهم ، يحدثنا جبران على لسانه عن ( المحبة والزواج والأبناء والعطاء والعمل والفرح والترح ..... والعديد من الأفكار التي يطرحها جبران في هذا الكتاب) ..
هذا الكتاب القليل في عدد صفحاته ( النسخة العربية 87 صفحة) ، كبير جداً بمحتواه ، فلا يمكنك أن تمر على الصفحات، إلا أن تقف متأملاً متفكراً محللاً ، وقد عكف جبران على كتابته 4 سنوات (1919 – 1923) ، واخترت لكم مما جاء فيه:
في الفرح والترح
فإذا فرحتم فتأملوا مليٍّا في أعماق قلوبكم تجدوا أن ما أحزنكم قبلًا يفرحكم الآن.
وإذا أحاطت بكم جيوش الكآبة، فارجعوا ببصائركم ثانيةً إلى أعماق قلوبكم وتأملوا جيِّدًا، تروا هنالك بالحقيقة أنكم تبكون لما كنتم تعتقدون أنه غاية مسرَّاتكم على الأرض.
فالحقَّ أقول لكم، إنَّهما توءمان لا ينفصلان، يأتيان معًا ويذهبان معًا، فإذا جلس أحدهما منفردًا إلى مائدتكم، فلا يغرب عن أذهانكم أنَّ رفيقه يكون حينئذٍ مضطجعًا على أَسِرَّتكم.

في الزواج
قد وُلدتم معًا، وستظلون معًا إلى الأبد، وستكونون معًا عندما تبدد أيامَكم أجنحةُ الموت البيضاء.
ولكن، فليكن بين وجودكم معًا فسحات تفصلكم بعضكم عن بعض، حتى ترقص أرياح السموات فيما بينكم.
أحبُّوا بعضكم بعضًا، ولكن لا تقيدوا المحبة بالقيود، بل لتكن المحبة بحرًا متموِّجًا بين شواطئ نفوسكم.
ليعطِ كلٌّ منكم قلبه لرفيقه، ولكن حذارِ أن يكون هذا العطاء لأجل الحفظ؛ لأنَّ يد الحياة وحدها تستطيع أن تحتفظ بقلوبكم.

وفي العمل
قد طالما أُخبرتم أن العمل لعنة، والشغل نكبة ومصيبة.
أما أنا فأقول لكم إنكم بالعمل تحققون جزءًا من حلم الأرض البعيد، جزءًا خصص لكم عند ميلاد ذلك الحلم.

وما هو العمل المقرون بالمحبة؟
هو أن تحوك الرداء بخيوط مسحوبة من نسيج قلبك، مفكِّرًا أن حبيبك سيرتدي ذلك الرداء.
هو أن تبني البيت بحجارة مقطوعة من مقلع حنانك وإخلاصك، مفكِّرًا أن حبيبك سيقطن في ذلك البيت.
هو أن تبذر البذور بدقَّة وعناية، وتجمع الحصاد بفرح ولذة، كأنك تجمعه لكي يقدَّم على مائدة حبيبك.
هو أن تضع في كل عمل من أعمالك نسمة من روحك، وتثق بأن جميع الأموات الأطهار محيطون بك يراقبون ويتأملون.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing: I want the "Marriage" part to be recited at my city hall wedding. Wise words, really wise words written beautifully.

[Odi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prophet is structured as a series of poetic essays delivered by the protagonist Almustafa, who shares his wisdom with the people of Orphalese before departing for his homeland. Each chapter addresses significant life topics—love, marriage, pain, joy, freedom, and death—through aphorisms that encapsulate Gibran's spiritual insights. For example, in the chapter on marriage, Almustafa advises couples to maintain individuality within their union: "Let there be spaces in your togetherness." This emphasis on balance reflects Gibran's belief in the interconnectedness of joy and sorrow; he posits that true understanding comes from experiencing both extremes.

One of the central themes in Gibran's work is the interplay of joy and sorrow. He explores this duality extensively, articulating that joy is often intertwined with sorrow. In his essay "On Joy and Sorrow," he states: "Your joy is your sorrow unmasked." This notion highlights the complexity of emotions and underscores the idea that suffering can deepen one's capacity for happiness.

Another recurring theme in Gibran's writings is spiritual unity. He conveys that individual experiences are part of a larger cosmic order. This perspective is evident when Almustafa reflects on life as a journey where separations are illusory: "You are but drops in the ocean." Such metaphors emphasize a collective human experience that transcends individual existence.

Gibran’s writings also reflect a quest for meaning amidst life's challenges. His characters often grapple with existential questions, seeking to understand their place in the world. This search is not merely philosophical but deeply personal, resonating with readers who face similar dilemmas.
Gibran’s style blends lyrical prose with philosophical discourse, reminiscent of poets like William Blake and Rumi. His use of vivid imagery and symbolism creates a rich tapestry that invites readers to engage with profound truths about existence. Critics have noted that while The Prophet may not align with traditional literary standards due to its sentimental tone, its impact lies in its ability to communicate universal wisdom in an accessible manner.

Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet remains a significant literary work due to its exploration of fundamental human experiences and emotions. Through his poetic essays, Gibran invites readers to reflect on their lives, encouraging a deeper understanding of joy, sorrow, and the interconnectedness of all beings. His insights continue to inspire individuals seeking peace and meaning in an often chaotic world. In this way, Gibran not only contributes to literature but also serves as a guide for personal and spiritual growth.

[Kylie Young · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you have already read the prophet, you won't need to read Part I and then some maybe. I did not like The Prophet and I most definitely did not like this either.

I feel like everyone just thinks they can write a book and call it "inspirational". I don't know too much about the man, perhaps I would view him with more admiration if I knew his story better, however as an unbiased reader, his writing is terrible.
I just could not follow or connect on any level and the pointless unrelated artworks and sculptures that had no relevance ??

[Rehma Ammari · Rating 4 out of 5]

"فإذا فرحتم فتأملوا في أعماق قلوبكم فتجدون أن ما أحزنكم قبلا يفرحكم الآن.
وإذا أحاطت بكم جيوش الكآبة فارجعوا ببصائركم ثانية إلى أعماق قلوبكم وتأملوا جيدا، تروا هنالك بالحقيقة أنكم تبكون لما كنتم تعتقدون أنه غاية مسراتكم على الأرض"

[Kitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Around the Year in 52 Books 2021: A book with flowers or greenery on the cover.

[Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://silenciosquefalam.blogspot.pt/...


O Profeta é uma das obras de maior referência que a maioria dos leitores e estudiosos gibranianos elegem, de todos os escritos que Kahlil Gibran (1899-1931) escreveu. Este livro já é constantemente alvo de reedições, em Portugal e em todo o mundo, devido à sabedoria intemporal que o autor libanês transpôs para o livro. Em 2008 a Duncan Baird Publishers, uma editora inglesa líder na execução de livros ilustrados deu à estampa uma edição especial que junta os livros O Profeta (1926) e O Jardim do Profeta (1935). Além desta duas obras conjuntas foi coligido alguns dos textos mais notórios de Gibran, nomeadamente: O Louco, O Percursor, Areia e Espuma e O Errante. São 272 páginas que compõem O Profeta e a Arte da Paz, publicado há dois anos (em Set. 2011) pela Sinais de Fogo.
A história de O Profeta: Almustafá esperara doze anos na cidade de Orfalés pelo navio que havia de o levar de volta à sua ilha natal. No dia em que se prepara para deixar a cidade a sua alegria se mistura à grande tristeza da despedida. Antes de embarcar o homem sábio dirige-se à multidão que com ele viveu nos últimos anos — mesmo embora alguns o tenham visto como um homem solitário e misantropo — para deixar umas últimas palavras de apreço pela hospitalidade com que o receberam. «O amor só conhece a sua profundidade na hora da separação», assim começa o profeta. E assim vai semeando a sua poderosa mensagem de auto compreensão e crescimento espiritual, e a cada pessoa do público cabe indicar-lhe um tópico sobre o qual desejam que Almustafá os elucide. O seu discurso incide em temas como o Amor, Amizade, Dor, Alegria e Tristeza. O sábio leva o povo a se questionar acerca das suas ideias e acções limitadoras, aquelas que barram e impedem o seu crescimento pessoal e espiritual. Por fim, após saciar a sede de conhecimento da população, e minutos antes de regressar à sua ilha de origem Almustafá diz: «Cantastes para mim na minha solidão, e dos vossos desejos construí uma torre no céu. Mas agora o sono voou, e o nosso sonho chegou ao fim.»
Através de simples mas significativas parábolas, em O Profeta, Kahlil Gibran oferece-nos através de uma escrita límpida e poética, num estilo que é profundamente contemplativo, eivado de uma sabedoria profunda, uma visão moderna da espiritualidade. É um livro que cativa pela filosofia da vida nele contida. Em suma, o autor nos convida a aproveitarmos o que há de mais elevado em cada um de nós, na nossa vida. Sobre o protagonista deste livro Kahlil escreveu — como é-nos revelado na introdução desta obra, por Joe Jenkis (um dos biógrafos do autor) —, o seguinte: «Este profeta já me ‘escreveu’ antes de eu ter tentado ‘escrevê-lo’ a ele, criou-me antes de eu o ter criado.»
O design, a excelência editorial e gráfica cuidada, as mais de 70 ilustrações, o tipo de papel de gramagem espessa, o facto de várias obras estarem coligidas numa só; todos estes prós desta edição convidam o leitor a adquirir, ler e expor O Profeta e a Arte da Paz na sua biblioteca.

Excerto:
«No vosso sonho desperto, quando estais absortos e escutais o vosso eu mais profundo, os vossos pensamentos, quais flocos de neve, caem, vibram e envolvem todos os sons dos vossos espaços num silêncio branco.» (pp. 160-161)

[Shamsa Abid · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lost interest after the first four or five poems. I just skimmed through the latter part of the book to find verses which would resonate with my state of mind. It was not what I had expected it to be like.

[HG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Palavras viscerais e sensíveis sobre Deus e a vida. Filosofia curta e deleitosa.

[Merima Smajic]

I'll have to re- read. To deep to understand just reading it once. Hence no rating. I admire khalil for his insight and eloquence despite his youth while writing this.

[Sonia Farnsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, I have read it over and over. So beautiful!

[Jennifer Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important

[Jordan Petualang · Rating 5 out of 5]

i recommend this book for the one who wants to know about living philosophy