Kahlil Gibran

SKETCH: YAFIZ SIDDIQUI

Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese-American artist, poet, writer of the New York Pen League and the third best-selling poet of all time, after Shakespeare and Laozi. Born in an underprivileged family of the town of Bsharri in the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate, Khalil did not receive any formal education in his youth; however he learnt the Bible and Arabic language at home and later was enrolled in Art school and turned out an accomplished artist in drawing and water colour. His best selling book The Prophet, a collection of 26 inspirational pieces written in poetic English prose style, has been translated into over 20 foreign languages. 

" When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."

"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."

"I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realised, than lord among those without dreams and desires."

"I wash my hands of those who imagine chattering to be knowledge, silence to be ignorance, and affection to be art."