First Published In: 1995.
Gibran, author of The Prophet, here offers reflections on such varying topics as life, love, courage, liberty, truth,
and understanding that are designed to uplift the soul in everyday living. This edition contains illustrations by the author.
-- Library Journal
No book of twentieth-century inspirational literature has been more successful than The Prophet by the Lebanese Christian
U.S. immigrant Kahlil Gibran (1883^-1931), but no other of Gibran's books has been nearly as successful. Chances are this
one, made up of selections from writings not previously translated into English, won't be, either. Gibran's mundanely
florid way of uttering sentiments full of the kind of radiant, sometimes pointless universalism now satirized by the likes
of Al Franken's terrifyingly bland self-help guru Stuart Smalley has never been bettered, though, and his fans will want
to peruse this "new" strand of his pearls of wisdom. -- Ray Olson
* * * * * * *
Poet, philosopher and artist, Khalil Gibran was a man whose fame and influence spread far beyond his native Lebanon.
Drawn from Gibran's prose, poetry and letters previously available only in Arabic, The Eye of the Prophet is a source of
enlightenment and reflection to guide readers through daily life.
* * * * * * *
By: A reader (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Kahlil Gibran's "Eye of the Prophet" is a collection of meditations on religion and life. Gibran's writing is both
mystical and lyrical as he comments on truths he's learned throughout life. Although he believes in an inexplainable
God, Gibran also posits that religion has a practical side. For example, "to be closer to God, be closer to people."
Although God exceeds our understanding, we can approach Him through other human beings. In this book Gibran also explains
that people often obscure their true, divine, selves; this leads to misery. This concept is explored in the following
story: "I saw a young man trying to seduce the heart of a young girl with tender words, while the true feelings of both
were half asleep and they were very far from their divine nature." The same theme of human nature being basically good,
despite self-corruption, continues throughout the book. Gibran's ideas will likely not shock those readers who are familiar
with mainstream religions and the Bible: Gibran himself drew heavily on the Bible. Although I enjoyed the book, I found I
had to break it up and read small sections at a time. Too much "Eye of the Prophet" at once made me feel simultaneously
overwhelmed and skeptical. Overall, I found the book provocative and beautifully-written, if at times a little repetitive.