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The Beauty of Life
Selected writings from "The Prophet."
- GenresPoetry
54 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
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 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 7, 2016
I originally gave this three stars and I am shocked at this, it really should rate at 4.5 stars, and I am remedying that now. The sense of wholeness and being complete that is offered in these words is just what I needed to hear. I love all of these words, but especially the ending...
"He who can experience...
see...
...and understand these things
can reach perfection...
...and become a shadow...
...of God's Shadow.
"He who can experience...
see...
...and understand these things
can reach perfection...
...and become a shadow...
...of God's Shadow.
September 17, 2026
not long enough to form much of an opinion but the different paper textures were great, and illustrations were so pretty.
January 6, 2018
A very short, not-amazing, but visually beautiful book. The majority of the excerpted "poem" I found to be uninspiring, but it seemed the last third held some good lines.
"I would not exchange the laughter of my heart.... for the fortunes of the multitude."
"It is my fervent hope that my whole life on this earth will ever be.... tears and laughter."
"Some men would see the world with the eyes of God.... and would grasp the secrets of the hereafter by means of human thought.... but go instead into the field and see how the bee hovers over the sweet flowers.... and the eagle swoops down on its prey."
"Be like the bee.... and do not waste your spring days ....gazing on the doings of the eagle."
There were tons of eclipses that didn't make sense. I mostly reproduced them in the quotes above, but not exactly. Anyway, the illustrations and the book as a physical specimen are quite lovely. The back says the font is Optima and that the illustrator oversaw printing for "utmost accuracy of reproduction." So that's cool.
"I would not exchange the laughter of my heart.... for the fortunes of the multitude."
"It is my fervent hope that my whole life on this earth will ever be.... tears and laughter."
"Some men would see the world with the eyes of God.... and would grasp the secrets of the hereafter by means of human thought.... but go instead into the field and see how the bee hovers over the sweet flowers.... and the eagle swoops down on its prey."
"Be like the bee.... and do not waste your spring days ....gazing on the doings of the eagle."
There were tons of eclipses that didn't make sense. I mostly reproduced them in the quotes above, but not exactly. Anyway, the illustrations and the book as a physical specimen are quite lovely. The back says the font is Optima and that the illustrator oversaw printing for "utmost accuracy of reproduction." So that's cool.
December 5, 2020
This is a physically beautiful book -- beautiful illustrations, beautiful paper and binding. It's genuinely a work of art.
As far as the content, I'll always love Gibran. This is not really a work by Gibran, though; it's a selection of bits of his works put together into one text, as opposed to a text directly composed by him. It's all good words, but it's not really Gibran, and doesn't have his flow and delicacy.
As far as the content, I'll always love Gibran. This is not really a work by Gibran, though; it's a selection of bits of his works put together into one text, as opposed to a text directly composed by him. It's all good words, but it's not really Gibran, and doesn't have his flow and delicacy.
May 7, 2026
Oh wow. I always believed my dad when he said Kahlil Gibran was amazing, but now… now I HAVE to read more of him! As a poet myself, this poem/collection of poetry by Gibran was shockingly profound as well as delightful to read. Oh to be able to capture this much meaning in such a beautiful, but short, way!
I will definitely be reading Gibran’s complete works now that I have had a taste of their beauty!
Note: The art in this book is also very good, making the book even more enjoyable!
I will definitely be reading Gibran’s complete works now that I have had a taste of their beauty!
Note: The art in this book is also very good, making the book even more enjoyable!
March 19, 2020
Beautifully designed book with some thought-provoking excerpts.
March 18, 2021
Four stars because the art in the book is stunning. Quick read. Book to read again as each reading may bring new takeaway.
March 13, 2022
Excellent selections, stunningly illustrated. A fantastic introduction to or refresher on Gibran's teachings, could make a fine gift for children or adults alike.
September 5, 2013
The poem is fine, but the book is gorgeous. Alex picked it up at a wedding (books as table decorations, then favors). There are different types of paper and the illustrations / paintings are simple, but beautiful. If I had two copies of this book I'd probably frame some pages.
December 25, 2009
Found this in my mom's basement. Very simple, but the watercolor and ink illustrations make it rather nice.
September 1, 2015
Received this book while in H.S. Like Kahlil Gibran's famous book The Prophet, for anyone who knows The Truth, this book is full of nonsense.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews