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The Prophet and Other Writings
This edition of this definitive work is now available as a highly designed paperback with flaps with a new introduction by Angelo John Lewis. Part of the Knickerbocker Classics series, a modern design makes this timeless book a perfect travel companion.
Published in 1923, Kahlil Gibran's most famous poetic work, The Prophet, includes twenty-eight succinct philosophical musings by Almustafa, as he awaits the arrival of the ship that will return him to his homeland. In the meantime, he shares his wisdom with the people of Orphalese, whom he has been living among for the past twelve years, on topics including love, marriage, children, work, freedom, pain, good and evil, beauty, religion, death, and more. One of the best-selling books of the twentieth century, The Prophet is as inspirational today as when it was originally published.
This edition also includes Gibran's The Madman (1918) and The Forerunner (1920), along with his original drawings.
Published in 1923, Kahlil Gibran's most famous poetic work, The Prophet, includes twenty-eight succinct philosophical musings by Almustafa, as he awaits the arrival of the ship that will return him to his homeland. In the meantime, he shares his wisdom with the people of Orphalese, whom he has been living among for the past twelve years, on topics including love, marriage, children, work, freedom, pain, good and evil, beauty, religion, death, and more. One of the best-selling books of the twentieth century, The Prophet is as inspirational today as when it was originally published.
This edition also includes Gibran's The Madman (1918) and The Forerunner (1920), along with his original drawings.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
18 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Kahlil Gibran
1,355 books15.2k followersKahlil 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 25, 2021
I will be against the majority here, but this book felt very overrated! Not the depth and the philosophical/spiritual thinking I was expecting. Low psycho-pop clichés rambling around to make it look more complex. Big disappointment, having hear of this book around for years and finally picking it up for that... Not the level of an Alchemist by Coelho in my opinion. If it did help you or made you feel better than it's good for you, but there was nothing in this book for me!
May 7, 2022
„Sačuvaj me mudrosti koja ne plače, filozofije koja se ne smeje i veličine koja se ne klanja pred decom“ – Khalil Gibran
October 2, 2009
As the author of a spiritually-themed book entitled "The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude," I appreciate any book that opens the doors to spiritual understanding. There are few contemporary books that will do this for you in such a poetic way.
My review is based solely upon "The Prophet." It is a book containing eternal truths. It was given to me as a high school graduation present many years ago. At the time, I found it beautiful, but I couldn't understand it. That is because I hadn't experienced life.
Selections from this book were read at my wedding. The sections on love speak of what it is truly about. Most of us never have an inkling of what true love is since we are caught up in a world of attachment to illusions and delusions. This book will help you to break through them.
This is a classic that will stand the mark of time such as the Bible has done. Kahlil Gibran is an old soul who speaks in a language that can be embraced by people of any faith.
The book is filled with metaphors and parables. It is almost as if Jesus himself is speaking through the author. Whether or not you will be able to comprehend what the author is speaking about, The Prophet will plant seeds that can bear good fruit.
Davis Aujourd'hui, author of "The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude"
My review is based solely upon "The Prophet." It is a book containing eternal truths. It was given to me as a high school graduation present many years ago. At the time, I found it beautiful, but I couldn't understand it. That is because I hadn't experienced life.
Selections from this book were read at my wedding. The sections on love speak of what it is truly about. Most of us never have an inkling of what true love is since we are caught up in a world of attachment to illusions and delusions. This book will help you to break through them.
This is a classic that will stand the mark of time such as the Bible has done. Kahlil Gibran is an old soul who speaks in a language that can be embraced by people of any faith.
The book is filled with metaphors and parables. It is almost as if Jesus himself is speaking through the author. Whether or not you will be able to comprehend what the author is speaking about, The Prophet will plant seeds that can bear good fruit.
Davis Aujourd'hui, author of "The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude"
July 11, 2013
My review is only about the Prophet and I must say its truly is an eye opener! Gibran tells us not what to see, but how to see. The reasons, the ideas he evokes without any sense of negative criticism is amazing. ur relations with ourselves, others and the world he explains it with such innocence that all of a sudden problems fall short of being big as they seem. A must read for all
April 18, 2021
I was indulged in the book.
1. The prophet.
It was a beautiful story, I liked the idea of making the two scenes in which the prophet came and left.
Many morals can be acquired throughout the story. The way of writing was incredible and poetic, although it was a bit hard, I got used to it and loved it.
2. The Madman.
I have to say that I thought it was better, it needs a second read as I hadn't the chance of comprehending every single idea, however, it wasn't bad at all, it was deep and was intriguing.
3. The forerunner.
This work is indeed my favourite, for it was filled with many long-sighted stories which enjoyed remarkably.
A book of many thoughts and morals, it was astonishing, but it's noteworthy that if The Madman was better I would have indeed considered the book as a 5 star one.
1. The prophet.
It was a beautiful story, I liked the idea of making the two scenes in which the prophet came and left.
Many morals can be acquired throughout the story. The way of writing was incredible and poetic, although it was a bit hard, I got used to it and loved it.
2. The Madman.
I have to say that I thought it was better, it needs a second read as I hadn't the chance of comprehending every single idea, however, it wasn't bad at all, it was deep and was intriguing.
3. The forerunner.
This work is indeed my favourite, for it was filled with many long-sighted stories which enjoyed remarkably.
A book of many thoughts and morals, it was astonishing, but it's noteworthy that if The Madman was better I would have indeed considered the book as a 5 star one.
May 5, 2020
Honestly, I guess I knew what it was going in, but I'd never read it so I took it on. I can see the appeal and there were some nice thoughts in The Prophet but it was mostly pretty trite. The Madman and The Forerunner, both written before The Prophet were better, in my opinion - more interesting. The foreword about him in the front and the timeline in the back were interesting too, in providing context. Having narrators that weren't stand-ins for him (and supposed to be taken as literal prophets) was better and felt a little less like someone (who still makes a couple good points) writing a book because of a narcissitic personality disorder.
April 5, 2020
The whole book is a trip through time, space and everything else you can't see. The prophet surely is one of the best spiritual books in my eyes. Loved the animation movie, loved the book. Both feeding different parts of the soul. Book gives more chance and more time to really see behind words.
March 10, 2025
The most beautiful book, full of simple ideas told in a profound way.
September 28, 2013
Authors who presume they are writing spiritual truth and wisdom write more fanciful things than your most inventive of science fiction writers. I rated this two stars rather than one because there seemed to be a few well-made points in the last chapter (The Madman); and therefore, I cannot tell whether the author was writing perceived truth or rambling like a mad man.
November 30, 2017
Perhaps the most honest of thoughts put to paper. You might say Socrates reborn as Kahlil Gibran dissects all facets of life delivering succinct answers to questions put forth to him by citizens of the imaginary city of Orphalese. After the read the meaning of prophet is flipped in the mind, not the archetypal religious zealot but a philosopher with unbiased view on life.
May 14, 2008
The author took me on a journey revealing a sense within through his writing. I gather that each individual gains their own feeling. The Prophet was both calming and informative in a spiritual manner. Infinitely, peaceful and reflective. Timeless.
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May 6, 2012Most inspiring thoughts on love, beauty, spirituality and religion!
July 19, 2013
Top: Number four
June 4, 2016
A change from the typical, individualistic, Western perspective on life; something different. This is Eastern psychology and a breathe of fresh air.
March 10, 2015
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews