On Love
When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep.
Book summary
Foundational TextPerennial Seller
The Prophet
by Kahlil Gibran
A book of twenty-six poetic essays
Poetic wisdom on love, work, joy, and freedom
4.2(500k)Published 1923
Topics
SpiritualityPhilosophyPoetry
Reading companion
How to read The Prophet with Readever
Read one chapter per day as a morning meditation, using Readever's highlighting to capture poetic insights that resonate with your current life circumstances. After each reading, journal about how the wisdom applies to your relationships, work, or personal growth. Use the AI to explore connections between Gibran's teachings and other spiritual traditions, creating a personalized spiritual practice based on the book's timeless principles.
Things to know before reading
- Approach this as poetic wisdom rather than systematic philosophy—let the language wash over you
- Each chapter stands alone as a meditation on a specific aspect of life
- Gibran blends Christian, Islamic, and Eastern spiritual traditions into universal wisdom
- The book works best when read slowly and reflectively, not rushed
Brief summary
The Prophet in a nutshell
A timeless spiritual classic featuring 26 poetic essays that explore fundamental aspects of human existence through the wisdom of a prophet named Almustafa.
Key ideas overview
The Prophet summary of 3 key ideas
The Prophet's teachings cover every major aspect of human experience
On Work
Work is love made visible.
On Joy and Sorrow
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
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Timeless Wisdom for Modern Living
Discover profound insights on love, marriage, work, joy, sorrow, and freedom that have inspired millions worldwide for nearly a century.
Deep dive
Key ideas in The Prophet
Key idea 1
On Love
When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep.
Love is portrayed not as a gentle emotion but as a transformative force that requires courage and vulnerability.
Remember
- Love demands complete surrender and vulnerability
- True love involves both joy and pain
- Love's purpose is spiritual growth, not comfort
Key idea 2
On Work
Work is love made visible.
Work should be an expression of love and purpose, not merely a means to earn a living.
Remember
- Find meaning and purpose in your daily work
- Work should serve both yourself and your community
- Approach work as an act of love and creation
Key idea 3
On Joy and Sorrow
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Joy and sorrow are inseparable companions, each giving meaning to the other.
Remember
- Embrace both joy and sorrow as essential parts of life
- Sorrow prepares the vessel for greater joy
- Emotional extremes are temporary and interconnected
Context
What is The Prophet about?
The Prophet follows Almustafa, who has lived in the foreign city of Orphalese for twelve years and is about to board a ship that will carry him home. Before he departs, the people of the city ask him to share his wisdom on the great matters of life. Through twenty-six poetic essays, he addresses topics including love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, houses, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death.
Gibran's masterpiece blends Eastern mysticism with Western poetic tradition, creating a universal spiritual guide that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. The book's enduring appeal lies in its ability to speak directly to the human heart, offering wisdom that feels both ancient and immediately relevant.
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Review
The Prophet review
The Prophet stands as one of the most beloved spiritual books of the 20th century, having sold over 100 million copies worldwide since its 1923 publication. Gibran's poetic prose creates a meditative reading experience that invites reflection rather than rapid consumption. Each chapter serves as a spiritual meditation on a different aspect of human experience.
The book's strength lies in its accessibility—Gibran presents profound spiritual truths in simple, beautiful language that resonates across cultures and generations. While some critics argue the work lacks systematic philosophical depth, its power comes precisely from this poetic approach, allowing readers to find personal meaning in its verses.
Particularly noteworthy is how Gibran balances spiritual wisdom with practical life advice, making the book both inspirational and applicable to daily living. The Prophet's teachings on love, work, and freedom continue to offer guidance to readers navigating the complexities of modern life.
- One of the most translated books in history, after the Bible
- Has never been out of print since its 1923 publication
- Influenced counterculture movements of the 1960s
- Frequently quoted at weddings and memorial services
- Blends Christian, Islamic, and Buddhist spiritual traditions
Who should read The Prophet?
Seekers of spiritual wisdom across all traditions
Poetry lovers looking for profound, accessible verse
Individuals facing life transitions or seeking purpose
Couples exploring the deeper meaning of relationships
Anyone interested in Middle Eastern spiritual traditions
About the author
Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) was a Lebanese-American writer, poet, and visual artist. Born in the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Lebanon), he immigrated to the United States with his family as a child. Gibran wrote in both Arabic and English, becoming a central figure of the New York Pen League of Arab writers.
His artistic career spanned painting, drawing, and writing, with The Prophet representing his most famous work. Gibran's writing blends elements of Christianity, Islam, Sufism, and Eastern philosophy, creating a unique spiritual vision that transcends religious boundaries.
Beyond The Prophet, Gibran wrote numerous other works including The Madman, The Forerunner, and Jesus, The Son of Man. His art was exhibited in major galleries, and he maintained friendships with prominent artists and intellectuals of his time, including Auguste Rodin and W.B. Yeats.
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Final summary
The Prophet offers timeless wisdom for navigating the human journey. Gibran's poetic insights remind us that life's deepest truths are often simple yet profound—that love requires courage, work should express our soul, and freedom comes from understanding our interconnectedness. Nearly a century after its publication, the book continues to guide readers toward lives of meaning, purpose, and spiritual depth.
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