Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese-born American poet, writer, and artist, is widely recognized as one of the most influential literary figures of the early 20th century. He is known for his profound wisdom and lyrical prose, with his most famous work being the timeless book “The Prophet.” Gibran’s writings explore themes of love, spirituality, and the human experience, resonating with readers worldwide. His unique blend of Eastern and Western influences continues to inspire and touch hearts, reminding us of the enduring power of love and beauty.

---

“When love beckons to you, follow him,⁣⁣⁣
Though his ways are hard and steep.⁣⁣⁣
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,⁣⁣⁣
Though the sword hidden among his pinions ⁣⁣⁣
may wound you.⁣⁣⁣

And when he speaks to you believe in him,⁣⁣⁣
Though his voice may shatter your dreams ⁣⁣⁣
as the north wind lays waste the garden.⁣⁣⁣
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. ⁣⁣⁣
Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.⁣⁣⁣
Even as he ascends to your height and⁣⁣⁣
caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,⁣⁣⁣
So shall he descend to your roots and⁣⁣⁣
shake them in their clinging to the earth.⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.⁣⁣⁣
He threshes you to make you naked.⁣⁣⁣
He sifts you to free you from your husks.⁣⁣⁣
He grinds you to whiteness.⁣⁣⁣
He kneads you until you are pliant;⁣⁣⁣
And then he assigns you to his sacred ⁣⁣⁣
fire, that you may become sacred bread for⁣⁣⁣
God’s sacred feast.⁣⁣⁣

But if in your fear you would seek only⁣⁣⁣
love’s peace and love’s pleasure,⁣⁣⁣
Then it is better for you that you cover⁣⁣⁣
your nakedness and pass out of love’s⁣⁣⁣
threshing-floor,⁣⁣⁣
Into the seasonless world where you⁣⁣⁣
shall laugh, but not all of your laughter,⁣⁣⁣
and weep, but not all of your tears.⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Love gives naught but itself and takes⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
naught but from itself.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
For love is sufficient unto love.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

When you love you should not say,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
“God is in my heart,” but rather,⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
“I am in the heart of God.”⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
And think not you can direct the course⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, ⁣⁣⁣
directs your course.⁣”

Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.⁣
But if you love and must needs have⁣
desires, let these be your desires:⁣
To melt and be like a running brook⁣
that sings its melody to the night.⁣
To know the pain of too much tenderness.⁣
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;⁣
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.⁣
To wake at dawn with a winged heart⁣
and give thanks for another day of loving;⁣
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;⁣
To return home at eventide with gratitude;⁣
And then to sleep with a prayer for the⁣
beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.⁣