Kahlil Gibran, a master of prose poetry, has left a remarkable imprint on literature through his profound and evocative words. His quotes delve into various dimensions of life, covering topics such as love, friendship, freedom, and self-discovery. In this article, we will explore some of his most thought-provoking quotes categorized under different themes. Each section features twelve quotes that embody the essence of Gibran's wisdom, offering you timeless insights and inspirations.
Love Quotes
"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
"Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit."
"Love is the only reality, and it is not a mere sentiment."
"Work is love made visible."
"Love is trembling happiness."
"To be able to look back upon one's life in satisfaction, is to live twice."
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."
"Love possesses not nor will it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love."
"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures."
"Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls."
"Let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heavens dance between you."
"Love... it surrounds every being and extends slowly to embrace all that shall be."
Life and Existence Quotes
"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life."
"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."
"The timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness. And knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream."
"Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity."
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need."
"The reality of the other person lies not in what he reveals to you, but what he cannot reveal to you."
"Your daily life is your temple and your religion. When you enter into it take with you your all."
"The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply."
"Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.'"
"We are all prisoners but some of us are in cells with windows and some without."
"I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind."
"Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself."
Friendship Quotes
"Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity."
"Your friend is your needs answered."
"In the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things, the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."
"Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit."
"A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand."
"And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures."
"Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives."
"You may forget with whom you laughed, but you will never forget with whom you wept."
"A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother."
"A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand."
"And let your best be for your friend."
"For with understanding, shall come wisdom."
Wisdom Quotes
"Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too selfish to seek other than itself."
"Knowledge cultivates your seeds and does not sow in you seeds."
"Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother."
"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding."
"Knowledge of the self is the mother of all knowledge."
"Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge."
"All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind."
"A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle."
"Where can I find a man governed by reason for I wish to talk with him."
"Where can I find a man governed by reason, not by habits and customs, for I wish to talk with him."
"I have learned silence from the talkative."
"We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them."
Freedom Quotes
"Life without freedom is like a body without a soul."
"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."
"You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom."
"Freedom is the consciousness of necessity."
"If we do not believe in freedom of speech for those we despise, we do not believe in it at all."
"True freedom is not advanced in the midst of despotism."
"The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."
"Freedom is not worth having if it does not imply freedom to err."
"To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
"Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought."
"If you would be free, be free for freedom is the foundation of life."
"Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity."
Self-Discovery Quotes
"Your own soul is nourished when you are kind."
"When you let your light shine, you unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."
"He who knows himself best esteems himself least."
"What you seek is seeking you."
"The most creative act you will ever undertake is the act of creating yourself."
"Be faithful to that which exists within yourself."
"To breathe, be still and quiet till all your faculties are focused forward."
"We journey into knowing ourselves better and then to fill up our space in the universe."
"When you were born your life became intertwined with the tides."
"We are not only part of the Earth, we are part of the universe."
"The more you understand yourself, the easier it is to live harmoniously."
"The more you know yourself, the more clarity there is."
Beauty Quotes
"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart."
"Beauty in not in the lines you draw, but in the life you paint."
"Power is not in what you think of us, but what we think of ourselves."
"And beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, but rather a heart enflamed, and a soul enchanted."
"Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror."
"Beauty is the shadow of God on the universe."
"Joy is the beauty of the soul."
"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure."
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness."
"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it."
"To love beauty is to see light."
"People are like stained-glass windows."
Purpose Quotes
"Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it."
"Let your purpose be a soaring bird that flies beyond the bounds of your narrow vision."
"Purpose is the flame that lights your way."
"When you find your purpose, your path will unfold."
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful."
"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost."
"We all have the desire to leave at least one memory that will outlive us."
"The soul that sees purpose in all creation will never lose hope."
"There must be some purpose in our coming together, and there must be a purpose in our parting."
"Simple purpose brings stability and clarity."
"Our most prime purpose is to live and let live."
"Purpose transforms you into the person you envision and dream of."
Joy Quotes
"Your joy is your sorrow unmasked."
"To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth."
"Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."
"A joyful friend lifts the heart."
"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day."
"Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain."
"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain."
"If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment."
"The joyful heart sees and reads the world with a sense of freedom and graciousness."
"Joy is the serious business of Heaven."
"Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet."
"Joy is increased by spreading it to others."
Change Quotes
"Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be."
"Transition is perhaps the toughest phase of change."
"Change is not only inevitable, but always to be hoped for."
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."
"It is through change that we can see progress."
"Change in all things is sweet."
"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often."
"You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one."
"Growth is the only evidence of life."
"The changes we dread most may contain our salvation."
"The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking."
"Change is the end result of all true learning."
Final words
Kahlil Gibran’s quotes are timeless treasures, offering insights into various aspects of life. His words resonate deeply, encouraging introspection, growth, and an appreciation for the subtleties of human existence. Gibran’s eloquence in elucidating emotions and experiences is a testament to his understanding of the human condition. Through love, wisdom, friendship, freedom, and self-discovery, his quotes continue to inspire and provide clarity. Embracing Gibran's wisdom can be life-altering, as his quotes illuminate the path to a more meaningful and enriched existence. Delving into his thoughts not only nurtures the soul but also fosters a profound connection with the world and its myriad experiences.
