The Prophet

I think Gibran's philosophy is one that is digestible, easy to reference, and generally agreeable. Unlike some philosophers, Gibran values quality over quantity and because of such his philosophy is not overly convoluted at the expense of being able to actually apply it to one's life. It can very easily serve as a guide on how to live life, a bible of sorts that one can go back to at any time on any matter. I think his prose is profound because of those attributes.

I really enjoyed his use of anaphora (repeating the same word to start different sentences) because it provides a sort of stream of consciousness to his work. Like his passage on teaching, Gibran is more so bringing that which is already buried within the self. Gibran's philosophy to me is community-oriented, but not at the expense of the earth and its gifts, it's idealistic in its interpretations of human nature and defiant by its questioning on lawmaking. Where I do find a bit of a disconnect is the "Prophet" character himself. Who this man is and what his credentials are besides being on an island for decades is a question I thought of when reading the intro and ending. I guess there is some ethos in the "Prophet" character but I enjoy the proses as standalones.

A book with no comparisons, truly marvelous read.

a interesting read

There are lots of really beautiful parts to this. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

“You have been told that, even like a chain, you are as weak as your weakest link.
This is but half the truth.
You are also as strong as your strongest link.
To measure you by your smallest deed is to reckon the power of the ocean
by the frailty of its foam.
To judge you by your failures is to cast blame upon the seasons for their inconstancy.”
― Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet