Kahlil Gibran

To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to.

Life without love is like a tree without blossom and fruit.

And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.

Love is the only flower that grows and blossoms without the aid of seasons.

Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.

The very strength that protects the heart from injury is the strength that prevents the heart from enlarging to its intended greatness within. The song of the voice is sweet, but the song of the heart is the pure voice of heaven.

Happiness is a myth we seek , If manifested surely irks; Like river speeding to the plain, On its arrival slows and murks . For man is happy only in His aspiration to the heights ; When he attains his goal, he cools And longs for other distant flights.

And what is word knowledge but a shadow of wordless knowledge?

He who repeats what he does not understand is no better than an ass that is loaded with books.

Knowledge and understanding are life's faithful companions who will never prove untrue to you. For knowledge is your crown, and understanding your staff; and when they are with you, you can possess no greater treasures.

Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge.

Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work.

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?

Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.