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The Voice of the Master
Millions all over the world have responded to the message of Kahlil Gibrana as recorded in his masterpiece, "The Prophet". In the style that gave Gibran the title of "Dante of the Twentieth Century", "The Voice of the Master" speaks stirringly of the victory of faith over grief, and love over loneliness. "Of Marriage", "Of the Divinity of Man", "Of Reason and Knowledge", "Of Love and Equality", --these are some of the themes Gibran searches in this volume, offering fresh insight into many of life's most perplexing riddles.
88 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
About the author
Kahlil Gibran
1,487 books15.4k 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 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 15, 2016
"We cling to the earth, while the gate of the Heart of The Lord stands wide open. We trample upon the bread of Life, while hunger gnaws at our hearts. How good is Life to Man; yet how far removed is Man from Life." (page/45)
"Into the ears of the rose you whisper a secret whose meaning she grasps; often she is troubled - then she rejoices. Such is the way of God with the soul of Man." (page/71)
"He who understands you is greater kin to you than your own brother. For even your own kindred may neither understand you nor know your true worth." (page/62)
"Man is like the foam of the sea, that floats upon the surface of the water. When the wind blows, it vanishes, as if it had never been. Thus are our lives blown away by Death." (page/26)
Above are just a few of the great sayings in this book. 90 pages consisting of Gibran's profound wisdom. Parables taken from his works which are used as the thoughts of the Masters disciple after the master dies. This is a sweet little book!
"Into the ears of the rose you whisper a secret whose meaning she grasps; often she is troubled - then she rejoices. Such is the way of God with the soul of Man." (page/71)
"He who understands you is greater kin to you than your own brother. For even your own kindred may neither understand you nor know your true worth." (page/62)
"Man is like the foam of the sea, that floats upon the surface of the water. When the wind blows, it vanishes, as if it had never been. Thus are our lives blown away by Death." (page/26)
Above are just a few of the great sayings in this book. 90 pages consisting of Gibran's profound wisdom. Parables taken from his works which are used as the thoughts of the Masters disciple after the master dies. This is a sweet little book!
July 6, 2011
Kahlil Gibran's words are powerful and profound but, also simple enough for everyone to read. The deep, rich message that portrays from his writings instills a joyous feeling upon ones heart. In this little book, only 95 pages, he writes about love, wisdom, reason, knowledge, life, music and wisdom. Kahlil is one of my all time favorite authors, his words raise me up. I wish we all could live in such a way as his words put forth. I can start with me. "God has given you a spirit with wings on which to soar into the spacious firmament of Love and Freedom. Is it not pitiful then that you cut your wings with your own hands and suffer your soul to crawl like an insect upon the earth?"
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June 1, 2022Not into mysticism and wisdom preaching stuff but khalil is always an exception
"how good is life to man; yet how far removed is man from life"
"life is an island in an ocean of loneliness , an island whose flowers are solitude ,and whose Brooks are thirst."
"how good is life to man; yet how far removed is man from life"
"life is an island in an ocean of loneliness , an island whose flowers are solitude ,and whose Brooks are thirst."
December 29, 2022
The narrative elements in the first two chapters would have made for a lovely book. What the reader gets instead is several small chapters of Gibran waxing philosophical through the archived writings of a fictional character.
This is my first Gibran, and I certainly see the appeal. But it’s often a little too mystical and forcedly spiritual for my tastes. That being said, there are tons of great quotes and lovely moments in this text.
This is my first Gibran, and I certainly see the appeal. But it’s often a little too mystical and forcedly spiritual for my tastes. That being said, there are tons of great quotes and lovely moments in this text.
June 9, 2023
Kahlil Gibran was more than a poet, and this isn’t really something anyone would argue against I don’t think.
The book tells the short story of a man (the master) and how he was a man of goodness and peace and brought harmony to the nations around him and the one he lived in. The book then takes off from the master’s student as he speaks on the Master’s sayings and parables. It’s a very similar structure as The Prophet and I think is best read one chapter a day, almost as a sort of devotional of sorts, little lessons for every day.
This may be heresy whoops, but his words feel like they belong as wisdom literature in our Bibles.
The depth and wealth he depicts through imagination and metaphors that span all of human emotion, passion and rationale. This is from the last chapter of the book:
“Yesterday, my beloved, I was almost alone in the world, and my solitude was as pitiless as death. I was a flower that grows in the shadow of a huge rock, or whose existence Life is not aware, and which is not aware of Life.
But today my soul awakened, and I beheld you standing by my side. I rose to my feet and rejoiced; then knelt in reverence and worshipped before you.”
I would put the whole chapter, but that would be a bit much. I feel like any words I add would take away from this books goodness. I’m thankful Gibran had words to describe the depth and heart of all human emotion all the way to the divine nature of God in relation to us.
The book tells the short story of a man (the master) and how he was a man of goodness and peace and brought harmony to the nations around him and the one he lived in. The book then takes off from the master’s student as he speaks on the Master’s sayings and parables. It’s a very similar structure as The Prophet and I think is best read one chapter a day, almost as a sort of devotional of sorts, little lessons for every day.
This may be heresy whoops, but his words feel like they belong as wisdom literature in our Bibles.
The depth and wealth he depicts through imagination and metaphors that span all of human emotion, passion and rationale. This is from the last chapter of the book:
“Yesterday, my beloved, I was almost alone in the world, and my solitude was as pitiless as death. I was a flower that grows in the shadow of a huge rock, or whose existence Life is not aware, and which is not aware of Life.
But today my soul awakened, and I beheld you standing by my side. I rose to my feet and rejoiced; then knelt in reverence and worshipped before you.”
I would put the whole chapter, but that would be a bit much. I feel like any words I add would take away from this books goodness. I’m thankful Gibran had words to describe the depth and heart of all human emotion all the way to the divine nature of God in relation to us.
October 5, 2026
"Često sam voleo ono što ljudi mrze, a mrzeo ono što im se dopada. Volim isto ono što sam voleo kao dečak I ono što sad volim voleću do kraja života. Ljubav je sve što mogu da imam i niko ne može toga da me liši.
Više puta sam želeo smrt. Zvao sam je lepim imenima, pevao joj tajno i javno. Smrti se nisam odrekao, niti sam savez s njom raskinuo, ali sam i život zavoleo. Smrt i život za mene su jednako lepi, jednako slatki, jednako ih želim i volim."
"Muzika je nalik na svetiljku. Odagna tamu u uši, osvetli srce i pokaže ono što je duboko u njemu. Pesme su za mene opipljive senke nas samih ili žive vizije osećanja. Duša je slična ogledalu postavljenom nasuprot vremenu."
"Duša mi je pouku dala. Naučila me da ljubim ono što ljudi mrze, da volim ponižene. Pokazala mi da lepota ljubavi nije u onome koji voli, već u onome što se voli. Pre nego mi je pouku dala, ljubav u meni je bila nit između dve tačke. Sada se pretvorila u oreol, čiji je početak na njegovom kraju, a kraj na početku, što obavija svako biće i lagano se širi da zagrli ono što će doći."
Više puta sam želeo smrt. Zvao sam je lepim imenima, pevao joj tajno i javno. Smrti se nisam odrekao, niti sam savez s njom raskinuo, ali sam i život zavoleo. Smrt i život za mene su jednako lepi, jednako slatki, jednako ih želim i volim."
"Muzika je nalik na svetiljku. Odagna tamu u uši, osvetli srce i pokaže ono što je duboko u njemu. Pesme su za mene opipljive senke nas samih ili žive vizije osećanja. Duša je slična ogledalu postavljenom nasuprot vremenu."
"Duša mi je pouku dala. Naučila me da ljubim ono što ljudi mrze, da volim ponižene. Pokazala mi da lepota ljubavi nije u onome koji voli, već u onome što se voli. Pre nego mi je pouku dala, ljubav u meni je bila nit između dve tačke. Sada se pretvorila u oreol, čiji je početak na njegovom kraju, a kraj na početku, što obavija svako biće i lagano se širi da zagrli ono što će doći."
January 10, 2021
The Voice of the Master, the first Lebanese book I've ever read by the way, was loaned to me by a friend. This short book - around 100 pages - was full of poetically beautiful language and symbolic metaphors and shorts stories and conversations.
The Voice of the Master seemed like a book of profound wisdom, and beauty and certain innocence that gets often squished out of people when they age. An absolutely lovely book, - and timeless classic from the year 1979- that could be interpreted in many different ways for sure, the book is indeed quite abstract.
The Voice of the Master seemed like a book of profound wisdom, and beauty and certain innocence that gets often squished out of people when they age. An absolutely lovely book, - and timeless classic from the year 1979- that could be interpreted in many different ways for sure, the book is indeed quite abstract.
August 19, 2017
¿Qué puedo decir? Es filosofía y definitivamente no nos llevamos bien
July 23, 2026
“The woman I have loved is like the women to whom you have given your hearts. She is compounded of a handful of earth and a beakerful of sea-foam.”
December 11, 2020
Pretty good book. I believe as you reread this book throughout the different stages of your life, you will obtain different tidbits of wisdom.
March 19, 2016
Es el primer libro que leo de este autor y no sé, creo que lo sentí en exceso espiritual que termina siendo motivacional. Haría falta leer el resto de su obra.
August 31, 2025
"La voz del maestro" (en su versión en italiano "La voce del maestro") es un libro escrito por el autor y artista libanés Khalil Gibran y publicado en 1958-1959.
En esta obra de carácter filosófico, espiritual y moralista, el autor cuenta la historia de un sabio maestro y su discípulo, cuya relación cambia al enfermar el primero de estos. Quien antes era el joven discípulo, impaciente y un poco perdido en su lugar en el mundo, deberá tomar el lugar de su guía para guiar a otros, estudiar los diarios y escritos del sabio y continuar el legado de conocimiento sobre las cuestiones humanas del alma y la mente.
Yo me leí este libro en italiano porque había una versión chiquitita y polvorienta en mi casa, que rescaté de un orden de un librero. Me tinca a mí que, aunque claramente se ve que el setting y los personajes son de medio Oriente, las palabras del libro están escritas bastante neutralmente con tal de que puedan resonar en lectores de diferentes culturas, religiones y partes del mundo. En general dice hartas cosas interesantes y valiosas; para su tiempo, debió haber sido toda una revelación; actualmente, veo muchas influencias de otros lados en muchos de sus mensajes, una especie de collage oriental y occidental en las lecciones que propone.
Hubo un par de frases que yo dije "Wow, a esta quiero volver más veces".
¿Lo recomiendo? Hmm si unx está en una racha de búsqueda espiritual y quiere un autor ameno para principiantes, sure. Si no, les va a latear mucho.
En esta obra de carácter filosófico, espiritual y moralista, el autor cuenta la historia de un sabio maestro y su discípulo, cuya relación cambia al enfermar el primero de estos. Quien antes era el joven discípulo, impaciente y un poco perdido en su lugar en el mundo, deberá tomar el lugar de su guía para guiar a otros, estudiar los diarios y escritos del sabio y continuar el legado de conocimiento sobre las cuestiones humanas del alma y la mente.
Yo me leí este libro en italiano porque había una versión chiquitita y polvorienta en mi casa, que rescaté de un orden de un librero. Me tinca a mí que, aunque claramente se ve que el setting y los personajes son de medio Oriente, las palabras del libro están escritas bastante neutralmente con tal de que puedan resonar en lectores de diferentes culturas, religiones y partes del mundo. En general dice hartas cosas interesantes y valiosas; para su tiempo, debió haber sido toda una revelación; actualmente, veo muchas influencias de otros lados en muchos de sus mensajes, una especie de collage oriental y occidental en las lecciones que propone.
Hubo un par de frases que yo dije "Wow, a esta quiero volver más veces".
¿Lo recomiendo? Hmm si unx está en una racha de búsqueda espiritual y quiere un autor ameno para principiantes, sure. Si no, les va a latear mucho.
February 7, 2023
Lebanon done. 7.7/10
I went into this book not knowing what to expect. Gibran's words are powerful but not convoluted. The book opens with two chapters about a man referred to as The Master and The Disciple. The following chapters are "words fromt The Master". I very much enjoyed both sections. This is my first time reading a book by Khahil Gibran but hopefully wont be my last.
A few excerpts I enjoyed:
"Knowledge is your true patent on nobility, no matter who your father or what your race may be."
"If you could see, my sorrowful friend, that the misfortune that has defeated you in life is the very power that illumines your heart and raises your soul from the pit of derision to the throne of reverence, you would be content with your share and you would look upon it as a legacy to instruct you and make you wise."
"Tarrying is cowardice. To remain forever gazing upon the City of the Past is Folly. Behold, the City of the Future beckons..."
"All this came to pass when Sorrow tore my heart, and Hope strove to mend it."
I went into this book not knowing what to expect. Gibran's words are powerful but not convoluted. The book opens with two chapters about a man referred to as The Master and The Disciple. The following chapters are "words fromt The Master". I very much enjoyed both sections. This is my first time reading a book by Khahil Gibran but hopefully wont be my last.
A few excerpts I enjoyed:
"Knowledge is your true patent on nobility, no matter who your father or what your race may be."
"If you could see, my sorrowful friend, that the misfortune that has defeated you in life is the very power that illumines your heart and raises your soul from the pit of derision to the throne of reverence, you would be content with your share and you would look upon it as a legacy to instruct you and make you wise."
"Tarrying is cowardice. To remain forever gazing upon the City of the Past is Folly. Behold, the City of the Future beckons..."
"All this came to pass when Sorrow tore my heart, and Hope strove to mend it."
November 21, 2023
"Words are too poor and too scant to express the inmost feeling in the heart of man".
“The Reality of Life is Life itself, whose beginning is not in the womb, and whose ending is not in the grave. For the years that pass arc raught but a moment in eternal life: and the world of matter and all in it is but a dream compared to the awakening which we call the terror of Death".
"Man is like the foam of the sea, that floats upon the surface of the water. When the wind blows, it vanishes, as if it had never been. Thus are our lives blown away by Death....
“The Reality of Life is Life itself, whose beginning is not in the womb, and whose ending is not in the grave. For the years that pass arc raught but a moment in eternal life: and the world of matter and all in it is but a dream compared to the awakening which we call the terror of Death".
"Man is like the foam of the sea, that floats upon the surface of the water. When the wind blows, it vanishes, as if it had never been. Thus are our lives blown away by Death....
July 20, 2018
"For Life is a chain made up of many diverse links. Sorrow is one golden link between submission to the present and the promised hope of the future."
Kahlil Gibran is one of my favorite writers, and reading his writings feels like reading some sacred text. His super spiritual style might be off putting to some, but there's always some wonderful wisdom to be found. This wasn't my favorite work by him, as the first half was a bit dry, but overall Gibran is always a comfort to read.
Kahlil Gibran is one of my favorite writers, and reading his writings feels like reading some sacred text. His super spiritual style might be off putting to some, but there's always some wonderful wisdom to be found. This wasn't my favorite work by him, as the first half was a bit dry, but overall Gibran is always a comfort to read.
February 12, 2025
Second Khalil Gibran book I’ve read. His writing is so beautiful, so mysterious, so full of analogies. Towards the ends, he uses analogies from Christianity and Greek mythology together - one of my favorite combos (like in Till we have faces!)
“The Infant King, swaddled in his mother’s wretched garments, sat upon a throne of burdened hearts and hungry souls, and through his humility wrested the scepter of power from the hands of Jove and gave it to the poor shepherd watching over his flock.”
“The Infant King, swaddled in his mother’s wretched garments, sat upon a throne of burdened hearts and hungry souls, and through his humility wrested the scepter of power from the hands of Jove and gave it to the poor shepherd watching over his flock.”
March 10, 2018
A poetic collection of reflections on human nature. Would be enjoyable to those who appreciate the idea of love as a form of religious worship, those who spend time in nature for nourishment, and those who are seeking a sense of spiritual communion with others; after initial chapters, very short passages offer brief moments of pause and appreciation.
June 11, 2026
posso dire che mi hanno rotto il cazzo sti eremiti saggi del cazzo medio orientali.
siete soltanto dei cantastorie per sostenere il potere costituito.
il fottuto capitolo sull equità!!!! incitate un po’ alla rivoluzione.
ma poi anche il finale con questa svolta sulla storia di Gesù e gli ebrei….
l’unica cosa che mi è piaciuta è il rapporto uomo-natura… che comunque è difficile da sbagliare
siete soltanto dei cantastorie per sostenere il potere costituito.
il fottuto capitolo sull equità!!!! incitate un po’ alla rivoluzione.
ma poi anche il finale con questa svolta sulla storia di Gesù e gli ebrei….
l’unica cosa che mi è piaciuta è il rapporto uomo-natura… che comunque è difficile da sbagliare
August 10, 2021
Bilge, öğrencisine Venedik yolculuğunu anlatıyor. Bu yolculukta sevdiğini kaybediyor. Bilge üzüntüden ölüyor. Bilgenin yaşama dair öğütleri, sevgiliye yazılmış bir mektubu da var. Kendi tarzında, diğer kitaplarına benzeyen felsefî öğretiler.
May 29, 2025
Abordar estos conceptos tan importantes del ser humano de esta forma me recordó mis años de Cristiano Católico, si bien se otorgan de similar manera es notable un enfoque más filosófico que religioso
April 14, 2026
Relativ simple Weisheiten schön und metaphorisch beschrieben. Für mich nicht sonderlich Bewegend, aber alleine für die Sprache lohnt es sich!!!
Will auf jeden Fall mehr von Kahil Gabran lesen!!
Das war auch nur ein Mini Buch, aber trotzdem schön…
Will auf jeden Fall mehr von Kahil Gabran lesen!!
Das war auch nur ein Mini Buch, aber trotzdem schön…
August 16, 2018
Un viaje entre arena y denzura, entre la fragilidad y el olvido, entre el todo y la nada. Plegarias y reencuentros. Magia y devoción.
April 21, 2019
mencerna gaya bahasa terjemahan itu sulit
April 6, 2020
“Conoscete quale sia il vostro vero valore, e non vi perderete”.
February 1, 2021
*Confusion is the beginning of knowledge*..
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May 12, 2022
Wow. Absolutely stunning. Took my breath away at several parts. I think I love it more than “The Prophet”. Definitely one of my favourites of all time🫶🏽
August 18, 2022
It's the lyrical beauty of the writing that gets to you.
December 29, 2023
Libro de muchas enseñanzas descritas de un modo diferente a lo habitual.
Creo que es necesaria más de una lectura para poder entenderlo.
Creo que es necesaria más de una lectura para poder entenderlo.
September 30, 2024
Beautiful!
Easy to read and insightful.
Full of wisdom.
Thank you very Khalil Gibran.
This book sends a profound message to the reader’s soul.
Easy to read and insightful.
Full of wisdom.
Thank you very Khalil Gibran.
This book sends a profound message to the reader’s soul.
May 2, 2025
Mientras más leo a este Nobel, mas me convenzo de su calidad literaria; un perfecto arquitecto de la imagen escrita.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews