48. Kalil-Gibran_The Prophet

8/7/2019 48. Kalil-Gibran_The Prophet

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THE PROPHET

BY K AH LIL GIB RA N

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T he Com ing o f t he Shi p

Almust af a, t he c ho se n a nd t he b el ov ed , w ho w as a d aw n o nt o hi s o wn d ay , h ad w ai te d t we lv e y ea rs in t he c it y o f

Or pha le se f or his ship t ha t w as t o r et ur n a nd b ea r him b ac k t o t he isle of his bi rt h.

And in the twelfth year, on the seventh day of Ielool, the month of reaping, he climbed the hill without the city walls and

l oo ke d s ea wa rd ; a nd h e b eh el d t he s hi p comi ng wit h t he mi st .

Then the gates of his heart were flung open, and his joy flew far over the sea. And he closed his eyes and prayed in the

silences of his soul.

But h e d es c en de d t he hill, a s ad ne ss c am e u po n him, a nd h e t hought in his he ar t:

H ow shall I g o in p e ac e a nd wi thout s or ro w? N ay , n ot wi thout a w ou nd in t he s pi ri t shall I l ea ve t his c it y.

Long w er e t he d ay s o f pa in I h av e s pe nt within i ts wa ll s, a nd long w er e t he nights o f a lo ne ne ss ; a nd w ho c an d ep ar t f rom hi s

pain and his aloneness without regret?

Too many fragments of the spirit have I scattered in these streets, and too many are the children of my longing that walk

n ak ed a mong t he se hills, a nd I c an no t w it hd ra w f rom t he m wi thout a b ur de n a nd a n a ch e.

It is not a garment I c as t off this da y, but a skin that I t ea r with my own ha nds .

Nor is it a thought I leave behind me, but a heart made sweet with hunger and with thirst.

Y et I c an no t t ar ry l on ge r.

The s e a t ha t c al ls all t hings un to h er c al ls m e, a nd I mus t e mb ar k.

F or t o s ta y, though t he h ou rs b ur n in t he ni ght, i s t o f re ez e a nd cr ys ta lli ze a nd b e b ou nd in a m ou ld.

Fain woul d I t ak e with me all t ha t is h er e. But h ow shall I ?

A v oi ce c an no t c ar ry t he t ong ue a nd t he l ips t ha t gi ve it wi ngs . Al on e m us t i t s e ek t he e th er .

An d a lo ne a nd wi thout hi s n es t s ha ll t he e ag le fly a c ro ss t he s un .

Now when he reached the foot of the hill, he turned again towards the sea, and he saw his ship approaching the harbour,

a nd up on he r p ro w t he ma ri ne rs , t he men of his ow n l and.

And his soul c ri ed o ut t o t he m, a nd he s aid:

S on s o f my a nc ie nt m ot he r, yo u r id er s o f t he t id es ,

H ow o ft en h ave y ou s ai le d in my d re am s. A nd n ow y ou c om e in my a wa ke ni ng , whic h i s my d ee p er d re am .

R ea dy a m I t o g o, a nd my e ag er ne ss wit h s ai ls full s e t a wa it s t he wi nd .

Onl y ano th er b r eat h will I b reath e i n t hi s s ti ll ai r, o nl y ano th er loving l oo k cas t b ackw ar d,
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The n I shal l s ta nd a mon g y ou , a s ea fa re r a mong s ea fa re rs .

A nd y ou , v as t s ea, s leepl es s m ot her,

Wh o a lone a re p ea ce a nd f re edom t o t he r ive r a nd t he s tr ea m,

Only another winding will this stream make, only another murmur in this glade,

And t he n shall I c om e t o you, a boun dl es s d ro p t o a boun dl es s o ce an .

And as he walked he saw from afar men and women leaving their fields and their vineyards and hastening towards the city

gates.

A nd h e h ear d t heir v oi ces call ing h is n am e, an d s ho ut in g f ro m t he f ield t o f ield tell ing o ne ano th er o f t he com ing o f t he s hi p.

A nd h e s aid t o himself:

Shall t he d ay o f pa rt in g b e t he d ay o f ga the ri ng ?

And shall it b e s ai d t ha t my e ve w as in tr uth my d aw n?

An d w ha t shall I give u nt o him w ho h as le ft hi s pl ough in m idf ur row , o r t o him w ho h as s t op pe d t he wh ee l o f hi s w in ep re ss ?

Shall my h ea rt b ec om e a t re e h ea vy -l ad en wit h fruit t ha t I ma y g at he r a nd gi ve u nt o t he m?

A nd s hall my d es i res f low l ik e a f ou nt ai n t hat I m ay fill t heir cu ps ?

Am I a h ar p t ha t t he ha nd of t he mighty may t ouc h m e, o r a flute t ha t his b re at h may p as s through me ?

A s e ek e r of s il enc es a m I , a nd w ha t t re as ur e h av e I f ound in s il enc es t ha t I may d is pe ns e wi th c on fi de nc e?

If this is my d ay of ha rve st , in wha t fields ha ve I s ow ed t he s ee d, a nd in wha t u nr emb er ed s ea so ns ?

If t his i nd ee d b e t he o ur in whic h I lift u p my l ant er n, it i s n ot my fl ame t ha t shal l b ur n t he re in .

Empty a nd d a rk shall I r ai se my l ant er n,

A nd t he g uard ian o f t he ni ght s hall fill i t wi th o il an d h e s hall l ight i t al so .

T he se things h e s ai d in w or ds . Bu t much in his h ea rt r em ai ne d u ns ai d. F or h e himself c ou ld n ot s p ea k hi s d ee p er s e cr e t.

And whe n he e nt er ed into t he city all t he p eo pl e c am e t o m ee t him, a nd t he y w er e crying out t o him a s with o ne voi ce .

And t he e lde rs of t he city s to od forth a nd s aid:

G o n ot ye t a wa y from u s.

A n oo nt id e h av e y ou b ee n in o ur twilight, a nd y our yout h h as given u s d re am s t o d re am .

No stranger are you among us, nor a guest, but our son and our dearly beloved.

Suf fe r n ot y et o ur e ye s t o hunge r f or y ou r f ac e.

An d t he p ri es ts a nd t he p ri es te ss es s ai d u nt o him:

Le t no t t he w av es of t he s ea s ep ar at e u s no w, a nd t he y ea rs you ha ve s pe nt in o ur midst b ec om e a memor y.

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You ha ve w al ke d among us a spir it , a nd your s ha do w ha s b ee n a light upo n ou r f ac es .

Muc h h av e w e l ov ed y ou . B ut s pe ec hl es s w as o ur l ov e, a nd with ve ils h as i t b ee n v ei le d.

Y et n ow i t c ri es a lo ud u nt o y ou , a nd w ou ld s ta nd r ev ea le d b ef or e y ou .

An d e ve r h as it b ee n t ha t l ov e k no ws n ot i ts o wn d ep th until t he ho ur o f s ep ar at io n.

An d o th er s c am e a ls o a nd e nt re at ed him.

But h e a ns we re d t he m n ot . H e only b en t his h ea d; a nd t ho se w ho s t oo d n ea r s a w t ea r s falling u po n his b re a st .

An d h e a nd t he p eo pl e p r oc e ed e d t ow ar ds t he g re at s qu ar e b ef or e t he t em pl e.

And t he re c am e ou t of t he s anc tua ry a woma n w ho se name w as Almitra. An d s he w as a s ee re ss .

And he looked upon her with exceeding tenderness, for it was she who had first sought and believed in him when he had

been but a day in their city.

And she hailed him, saying:

P ro ph et o f G od , in q ue st f or t he u tt er mo st , long h av e yo u s ea rc he d t he d is ta nc es f or y ou r s hi p.

And no w your ship h as c om e, a nd you must n ee ds g o.

Deep is your longing for the land of your memories and the dwelling place of your greater desires; and our love would not

bind you nor our needs hold you.

Yet this we a sk e re you leave us, that you s pe ak t o us a nd give us of your truth.

A nd w e will gi ve i t u nt o o ur chi ld ren, an d t hey u nt o t heir chi ld ren, an d i t s hall n ot p er i sh .

In your aloneness you have watched with our days, and in your wakefulness you have listened to the weeping and the

l aug ht er o f o ur s l eep .

Now therefore disclose us to ourselves, and tell us all that has been shown you of that which is between birth and death.

A nd h e an sw ered ,

P eo pl e o f O rp ha le se , of w ha t c an I s p ea k s av e o f t ha t whic h i s e ve n n ow moving y our s ou ls ?

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Love

The n s ai d Al mi tr a, " Sp ea k t o u s o f L ov e. "

An d h e r ai se d his h ea d a nd l oo ke d u po n t he p eo pl e, a nd t he re fell a st il lne ss u po n t he m. A nd wit h a g re at v oi ce h e s ai d:

W hen l ov e b eck o ns t o y ou f ol lo w hi m,

Though hi s w ay s a r e h ar d a nd s t ee p.

A nd w hen h is wi ngs enf ol d y ou yi el d t o hi m,

Though t he s w or d h id den amo ng h is p in io ns m ay w ou nd y ou .

An d w he n h e s pe a ks t o yo u b el ie ve in him,

Though hi s v oi ce ma y s ha tt er y our d re am s a s t he n or th wi nd l ays w as te t he g ar de n.

F or e ve n a s love c ro wns you s o shall h e crucify you. Even a s h e is f or your gr owth s o is he f or your pruning.

Eve n a s h e a sc en ds t o y ou r hei ght a nd c a re s se s y ou r t en de re st b ra nc he s t ha t qu ive r in t he s un ,

S o shal l h e d es c en d t o y ou r r oo ts a nd s ha ke t he m in t he ir clinging t o t he e ar th .

L ik e s heaves o f co rn h e g at hers y ou u nt o hi ms elf .

He t hr es he s you t o m ak e you n ak ed .

H e s if ts y ou t o f re e yo u fr om yo ur h us ks .

H e g ri nd s y ou t o w hi teness .

H e k neads y ou unt il y ou ar e p li an t;

And t he n he a ss igns you t o his s ac re d f ire , t ha t you may b ec om e s ac re d b re ad fo r G od 's s ac re d f ea st .

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a

fragment of Life's heart.

But if in y ou r f ea r yo u wo ul d s e ek only l ov e' s p e ac e a nd l ov e' s p le as ur e,

The n i t i s b et te r f or yo u t ha t y ou c ov er y ou r n ak ed ne ss a nd p a ss o ut o f l ov e' s t hr es hi ng- fl oor ,

I nt o t he s ea so nl es s w or ld w he re yo u s ha ll l augh, b ut n ot all o f y ou r l au ght er , a nd w ee p , b ut n ot all o f y our t e ar s .

L ov e g iv es n aug ht b ut i ts el f and t ak es n aug ht b ut f ro m i ts el f.

L ov e p os s es s es n ot n or w ou ld i t b e p os s es s ed ;

F o r l ov e i s s uf fi ci ent u nt o l ov e.

When you love you shoul d no t s ay , "G od is in my hea rt ," b ut r at he r, I am in t he he ar t of G od ."

An d t hink n ot yo u c an d ir ec t t he c ou rs e o f l ov e, if i t finds y ou w or th y, d ir ec ts y ou r c ou rs e.

L ov e h as n o o th er d esi r e b ut t o fulfil i ts el f.

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But if y ou l ov e a nd mus t n ee ds h av e d es ir es , l et t he se b e y ou r d es ir es :

T o mel t a nd b e l ike a running b r oo k t ha t si ngs i ts m el od y t o t he night .

T o k no w t he p ai n o f t o o muc h t en de rn es s.

T o b e w ou nd ed b y y ou r o wn un de rs ta nd ing o f l ove ;

And to bleed willingly and joyfully.

T o w ak e a t d aw n wit h a wi ng ed h ea rt a nd give t ha nk s f or a no th er d ay o f loving;

T o r es t a t t he n oo n h ou r a nd m ed it at e l ov e' s e cs ta sy ;

T o r et ur n h om e at event id e w it h g rati tu de;

And t he n t o s le ep with a p ra ye r f or t he b el ov ed in your he ar t a nd a s ong of p ra is e u pon your li ps .

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Marriage

Then Al mi tr a s p o ke again an d s aid , " An d w hat o f M ar r iage, m as ter?"

And he answered saying:

Y ou w ere b or n t og et her , an d t og et her y ou s hall b e f or ev er mo re.

Yo u s hal l b e t og et he r w he n w hi te wings o f d ea th s c at te r y ou r d ay s.

A ye , y ou shal l b e t og et he r e ve n in t he si le nt me mory of G od .

But l et t he re b e s pa c es in y ou r t og et he rn es s,

An d l et t he wi nds o f t he h ea ve ns d an ce b et we en y ou .

Love o ne a not he r bu t m ak e no t a b on d of love:

Le t it r at he r b e a moving s ea b et we en t he s ho re s of your s oul s.

Fill e ac h o th er 's c up b ut d ri nk n ot f rom o ne c up .

Give o ne a not he r of your b re ad bu t e at not from t he s ame loa f.

Sing a nd d an ce t oge th er a nd b e j oyo us , b ut l et e ac h o ne of you b e a lon e,

Eve n a s t he s tr ing s o f a l ut e a r e a lo ne though t he y q ui ve r wi th t he s am e mus ic .

Give y our h ea rt s, b ut n ot i nt o e ac h o th er 's k ee pi ng .

F or only t he h an d o f Life c an c ont ai n y ou r h ea rt s.

An d s ta nd t og et he r, y et n ot t o o n ea r t og et he r:

F or t he pi ll ar s o f t he t em pl e s ta nd a pa r t,

And t he o ak t re e a nd t he c yp re ss g row n ot in e ac h o th er 's s ha do w.

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Children

And a woman w ho hel d a b ab e aga ins t he r b os om s ai d, " Sp ea k t o us of Children."

An d h e s ai d:

Y ou r chi ld ren ar e n ot y ou r chi ld ren.

They ar e t he s o ns an d d au gh ters o f L if e' s longing f or i ts el f.

They com e t hr ou gh y ou b ut n ot f ro m y ou ,

An d though t he y a r e with y ou , y et t he y b el on g n ot t o y ou .

Y ou m ay gi ve t hem y ou r l ov e b ut n ot y ou r t ho ug ht s.

F o r t hey h av e t heir o wn t ho ug ht s.

Yo u may h ou se t he ir b od ie s b ut n ot t he ir s ou ls ,

F or t he ir s oul s dwe ll in t he h ou se o f t om or ro w, whi ch yo u c an no t vis it , n ot e ve n in y ou r d re am s.

You may s tri ve t o b e like the m, bu t s ee k no t t o ma ke them like yo u.

F or life g oe s n ot b ac kw a rd n or t ar ri es wi th y es te rd ay .

Yo u a r e t he b ow s f rom whic h y ou r c hi ld re n a s living a rr ow s a r e s en t f or th .

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and

far.

L et y ou r be ndi ng in t he a rc he r' s h an d b e f or g la dne ss ;

F or e ve n a s he love s t he a rr ow t ha t flies, s o H e love s a ls o t he b ow t ha t is s ta bl e.

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Giving

The n s ai d a r ic h ma n, " Sp ea k t o u s o f Giving."

A nd h e ans wer ed :

Y ou g ive b ut l it tle w hen y ou gi ve o f y ou r p os s es s io ns .

I t i s w hen y ou gi ve o f y ou rs el f t hat y ou t ru ly g iv e.

F or w ha t a r e y ou r p os se ss io ns b ut thi ngs y ou k e ep a nd g ua rd f or f ea r y ou ma y n ee d t he m t om or ro w?

And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over prudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the

pilgrims to the holy city?

And wha t is f ea r of n ee d bu t n ee d itself?

I s n ot d r ead o f t hi rs t w hen y ou r well i s full, t hi rs t t hat i s u nq uenchabl e?

There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makestheir gifts unwholesome.

An d t he re a r e t ho se w ho h av e little a nd give i t a ll .

T he se a r e t he b el ie ve rs in life a nd t he b ou nt y o f l ife, a nd t he ir c of fe r i s n ev er e mp ty .

T he re a r e t ho se w ho give wi th j oy , a nd t ha t j oy i s t he ir r ew ar d.

An d t he re a r e t ho se w ho give wi th p ai n, a nd t ha t pa in i s t he ir b ap ti sm .

An d t he re a r e t ho se w ho give a nd k no w n ot p ai n in giving, n or d o t he y s e ek j oy , n or give wi th mindfulness o f vi rt ue ;

They gi ve as i n y on der vall ey t he m yr tl e b reath es i ts f ragr an ce i nt o s p ace.

Thr ough t he h an ds o f s uc h a s t he se G od s p ea k s, a nd f rom b ehi nd t he ir e ye s H e s mile s u po n t he e ar th .

I t i s wel l t o give wh en a s ke d , b ut it i s b et te r t o give u na sk ed , t hr ough un de rs ta ndi ng;

An d t o t he o pe n- ha nd ed t he s ea rc h f or o ne w ho shall r ec ei ve i s j oy g re at er t ha n giving

A nd i s t her e aug ht y ou w ou ld w it hh ol d?

All y ou h av e shall s om e d ay b e given;

T herefo re gi ve n ow , t hat t he s eas o n o f giving m ay b e y ou rs and n ot y ou r i nh er it or s' .

Y ou o ft en s ay, " I w ou ld g iv e, b ut o nl y t o t he d es er vi ng ."

The t re es in your o rc ha rd s ay no t s o, no r t he fl oc ks in your p as tu re .

The y gi ve t ha t t he y ma y li ve , f or t o wi thhold i s t o p er is h.

Sure ly h e w ho i s w or th y t o r ec ei ve his d ay s a nd hi s nights i s w or th y o f all e ls e f rom y ou .

An d h e w ho h as d es er ve d t o d ri nk f rom t he o ce an o f life d es e rv es t o fill hi s c up f rom y our little s tr ea m.

An d w ha t d es er t g re at er s ha ll t he re b e t ha n t ha t whi ch l ie s in t he c ou ra ge a nd t he c on fi de nc e, n ay t he c ha ri ty , o f r ec ei vi ng?

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And who a re you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their

pride unabashed?

S e e fi rst t ha t y ou your se lf d es er ve t o b e a gi ve r, a nd a n inst rument o f giving.

F or in t ru th it i s life t ha t gi ve s u nt o life - while y ou , w ho d ee m your se lf a gi ve r, a r e b ut a w it ne ss .

And you receivers - and you are all receivers - assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon

him who gives.

R at he r r is e t og et he r wit h t he gi ver o n his gi fts a s o n wi ngs ;

For to be over mindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for

father.

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Eating and Drinking

Then a n o ld man, a k ee pe r of a n inn, s ai d, " Sp ea k t o u s of Eating a nd Drinking."

An d h e s ai d:

W ou ld t ha t y ou c ou ld live o n t he f ra gr anc e o f t he e ar th , a nd l ike a n a ir p la nt b e s us ta in ed b y t he light.

But s inc e you must kill t o e at , a nd r ob t he young of i ts mo the r' s milk t o quenc h your t hi rs t, l et it the n b e a n a ct of wo rs hi p,

An d l et y our b oa r d s ta nd a n a lt ar o n whi ch t he p ur e a nd t he i nnoc ent o f f or es t a nd pl ai n a r e s ac ri fi ce d f or t ha t whi ch i s p ur er

and still more innocent in many.

When you kill a b ea st s ay t o him in your h ea rt ,

"By t he s ame p ow er t ha t sl ays you , I t o a m slain; a nd I t oo shall b e c ons um ed.

F or t he l aw t ha t d el iv er ed y ou i nt o my h an d shal l de li ve r m e i nt o a mightier h an d.

Your b lo od a nd my b lo od is naught b ut t he s ap t ha t f ee ds t he t re e of heaven."

And whe n you c rus h a n a pp le with your t ee th , s ay t o it in your he ar t,

" You r s eed s s hall l ive i n my b o dy ,

An d t he b ud s o f y ou r t om or ro w shall b lo ss om in my h ea rt ,

A nd y ou r f ragr an ce s hall b e m y b r eat h,

A nd t og et her w e s hall r ejo ice t hr ou gh all t he s eas on s. "

An d in t he a ut umn, wh en yo u g at he r t he g ra pe s o f y ou r vi ne ya rd f or t he w in ep re ss , s ay in yo u h ea rt ,

"I t o a m a v in ey ar d, a nd my fruit sha ll b e g at he re d f or t he w in ep re ss ,

An d l ike n ew wi ne I s hal l b e k e pt in e te rn al v es se ls ."

And in wint er , when you d ra w t he wine, le t t he re b e in your h ea rt a s ong fo r e ac h c up;

An d l et t he re b e in t he s on g a r em em br an ce f or t he a utumn d ay s, a nd f or t he vi ne ya rd , a nd f or t he w in ep re ss .

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Work

The n a ploughman s ai d, " Sp ea k t o u s o f W or k. "

And he answered, saying:

You w or k t ha t you may k ee p p ac e with t he e ar th a nd t he s oul of t he e ar th .

For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life's procession, that marches in majesty and

proud submission towards the infinite.

Wh en y ou w or k yo u a r e a f lute t hr ough w ho se h ea rt t he whi spe ri ng o f t he h ou rs t ur ns t o mus ic .

Which o f y ou w ou ld b e a r e ed , du mb a nd s il ent , w he n all e ls e s ings t og et he r in uni son?

Alwa ys y ou h av e b ee n t ol d t ha t w or k i s a c ur se a nd l ab ou r a mi sf or tune .

But I s ay t o you t ha t when you w or k you fulfil a p ar t of e ar th 's furthe st d re am , a ssi gne d t o you when t ha t dr ea m w as b or n,

A nd in k eepi ng y ou rs el f wi th l ab ou r y ou ar e i n t ru th loving l if e,

A nd t o l ov e li fe t hr ou gh l ab ou r i s t o b e i nt imate w it h l if e' s i nm os t s ecret .

Bu t i f y ou i n y ou r p ai n cal l b ir th an aff licti on an d t he s u pp or t o f t he f lesh a cur s e w ri tt en u p on y ou r b r o w, t h en I ans wer t h at

naught b ut t he s we at o f y our b ro w s ha ll w as h a wa y t ha t whic h i s w ri tt en .

You ha ve b ee n t ol d a ls o life is d ar kn es s, a nd in your w ea ri ne ss you e ch o wha t w as s ai d b y t he w ea ry.

And I s ay t ha t life is i nde ed d ar kn es s s ave when t he re is u rge ,

An d all u rg e i s bl ind s av e w he n t he re i s k no wl ed ge ,

An d all k no wl ed ge i s vai n s av e w he n t he re i s w or k,

An d all w or k i s e mp ty s av e wh en t he re i s l ove ;

An d w he n y ou w or k wit h l ov e y ou b in d your se lf t o y our se lf , a nd t o o ne a no th er , a nd t o G od .

And wha t is it t o w or k with l ove ?

I t is t o w ea ve t he c loth with t hr ea ds d ra wn from your he ar t, e ven a s if your be lo ve d w er e t o w ea r t ha t c lot h.

I t i s t o bui ld a h ou se wit h a ff ec ti on, e ve n a s if y our b el ov ed w er e t o dw el l in t ha t h ou se .

I t is t o s ow s ee ds with t en de rne ss a nd r ea p t he ha rve st with j oy , e ve n a s if your be lo ve d w er e t o e at t he fruit.

I t i s t o c ha rg e all thi ngs y ou f as hi on wi th a b re at h o f y our o wn s pi ri t,

An d t o k no w t ha t all t he b le ss ed d e ad a r e s ta ndi ng a bo ut yo u a nd wa tc hi ng .

Often have I heard you say, as if speaking in sleep, "he who works in marble, and finds the shape of his own soul in the

s to ne , i s a n ob le r t ha n h e w ho pl oughs t he s oi l.

And he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth in the likeness of man, is more than he who makes the sandals for our

feet."

But I s ay , n ot in s le ep b ut in t he o ve r- wa ke fu ln es s o f n oo nt id e, t ha t t he wi nd s p ea k s n ot m or e s we et ly t o t he gi ant o a ks t ha n

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12/43

t o t he l ea st of all t he b la de s of g ra ss ;

And he a lone is g re at w ho tur ns t he voi ce of t he wind into a s ong m ade s we et er b y his ow n loving.

W o rk i s l ov e m ad e vi si bl e.

And if you c anno t w or k with l ove bu t only with d is ta st e, it is b et te r t ha t you shoul d l ea ve your w or k a nd sit a t t he ga te of t he

temple a nd t ak e alms of t ho se wh o w or k with j oy .

F or if y ou b a ke b re a d with i ndi ff er enc e, yo u b a ke a b it te r b r ea d t ha t f ee ds b ut half m an 's hu nge r.

An d if yo u gr udg e t he crus hi ng o f t he g ra pe s, y our g ru dge dis ti ls a p oi so n in t he w in e.

And if you sing though as angels, and love not the singing, you muffle man's ears to the voices of the day and the voices of

the night.

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13/43

Joy & Sorrow

Then a woman s ai d, " Sp ea k t o us of J oy a nd S or ro w. "


Y ou r j oy i s y ou r s o rr o w u nm as ked.

A nd t he s el fs am e well f ro m w hi ch y ou r l au gh ter r is es w as o ft en ti mes f il led w it h y ou r t ears .

And how else c an it b e?

The d ee p er t ha t s or ro w c ar ve s i nt o y ou r b ei ng , t he m or e j oy y ou c an c on ta in .

I s no t t he c up t ha t hold your wine t he ve ry c up t ha t w as b ur ne d in t he p ot te r' s ov en ?

An d i s n ot t he l ut e t ha t s oo th es y ou r s pi ri t, t he v er y w oo d t ha t w as h ol lo we d wi th k ni ve s?

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 a re sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been

your delight.

S om e o f y ou s ay , " Jo y i s g re at er t ha n s or ro w, " a nd o th er s s ay , " Na y, s or ro w i s t he g re at er ."

But I s ay un to y ou , t he y a r e i ns ep ar ab le .

T og et he r t he y c om e, a nd w he n o ne s it s a lo ne wit h y ou a t y ou r b oa r d, r em em be r t ha t t he o th er i s a sl ee p u po n y our b e d.

Verily y ou a r e s us pe nd ed l ik e s ca le s b et we en y ou r s or ro w a nd y our j oy .

Only w he n y ou a r e e mp ty a r e y ou a t s ta nds ti ll a nd b al an ce d.

Wh en t he t r ea s ur e -k ee pe r lifts y ou t o wei gh hi s g ol d a nd hi s s il ve r, n ee ds mus t y our j oy o r yo ur s or ro w r is e o r fa ll.

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14/43

Houses

Then a ma son c ame forth a nd s ai d, " Sp ea k t o us of H ous es ."

An d h e a ns we re d a nd s ai d:

Buil d o f y ou r imaginings a b o wer in t he w il dern es s er e y ou bu il d a h ou se wi thi n t he cit y w al ls .

F or e ve n a s y ou h av e hom e- com ing s in yo ur twilight, s o h as t he w an de re r in y ou , t he e ve r di st an t a nd a lo ne .

Y ou r h ou se i s yo ur l ar ge r b od y.

I t g ro ws in t he s un an d s l eeps in t he s ti ll ness o f t h e ni ght ; an d i t i s n ot d reaml es s . D o es n ot y ou r h ou se d r eam ? A nd

d ream in g, l eave t he cit y f or g ro ve o r h il lt op ?

W ou ld t ha t I c ou ld g at he r y ou r h ou se s i nt o my h an d, a nd l ike a s ow er s c at te r t he m in f or es t a nd m ea do w.

Would the valleys were your streets, and the green paths your alleys, that you might seek one another through vineyards,

a nd c om e with t he f ra gr an ce o f t he e ar th in y ou r g ar me nt s.

But t he se things a re n ot ye t t o b e.

In their fear your forefathers gathered you too near together. And that fear shall endure a little longer. A little longer shall

y ou r cit y w al ls s ep ar at e y ou r h eart hs f ro m y ou r f ield s.

An d t ell m e, p eo pl e o f O rp ha le se , w ha t h av e yo u in t he se h ou se s? A nd w ha t i s i t y ou g ua rd wit h f as te ne d d oo r s?

H av e y ou p e ac e , t he q ui et u rg e t ha t r ev ea ls y ou r p ow e r?

H av e y ou r em em br ances , t he glimmering ar ch es t hat s p an t he s um mi ts o f t he m in d?

H av e y ou b ea ut y, t ha t l ea ds t he h ea rt fr om things f as hi one d o f w oo d a nd s to ne t o t he hol y mount ain?

Tell m e, h av e y ou t he se in y our h ou se s?

Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and becomes a host,

a nd t he n a m as te r?

Ay , a nd it b ec om es a t am er , a nd wi th h oo k a nd s co ur ge m ak es p up pe ts o f yo ur l ar ge r d es ir es .

Though i ts h an ds a r e s il ke n, i ts h ea rt i s o f i ron .

I t lulls you t o s le ep only t o s ta nd by your b ed a nd j ee r a t t he dignity of t he flesh.

I t m ak es m ock o f y ou r s ou nd s ens es , an d l ay s t hem i n t hi st ledo wn l ik e f ragi le v es sel s.

Ver ily t he l us t f or com fo rt m ur ders t he p as si on o f t he s ou l, an d t hen w al ks grinning in t he f un er al .

But y ou , c hi ldre n o f s p ac e , yo u r es tl es s in r es t , yo u s hal l n ot b e t r ap pe d n or t am ed .

Your h ous e shall b e no t a n a nc ho r bu t a m as t.

I t sha ll n ot b e a glistening film t ha t c ov er s a w ou nd , b ut a n e ye li d t ha t g ua rd s t he e ye .

You shall not fold your wings that you may pass through doors, nor bend your heads that they strike not against a ceiling,

n or f ea r t o b re at he l es t wa lls s hou ld c r ac k a nd fall d ow n.

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15/43

Yo u s hal l n ot dw ell in t om bs m ad e b y t he d e ad f or t he living.

A nd t ho ug h o f m ag ni fi cence an d s pl en do ur , y ou r h ou se s hall n ot h ol d y ou r s ecret n or s helt er y ou r l ongi ng.

For that which is boundless in you abides in the mansion of the sky, whose door is the morning mist, and whose windows

a re t he s on gs a nd t he s il en ce s o f night .

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16/43

Clothes

An d t he w ea ve r s ai d, " Sp ea k t o u s o f C lo th es ."


Y ou r clo th es con ceal m uch o f y ou r b eaut y, y et t hey h id e n ot t he un beaut if ul .

An d though y ou s e ek in ga rm en ts t he f re ed om o f pr iv ac y y ou m ay find in t he m a h ar ne ss a nd a c ha in .

W ou ld t ha t y ou c ou ld m ee t t he s un a nd t he wi nd wit h m or e o f y ou r s ki n a nd l es s o f y ou r r ai me nt ,

F or t he b re at h of life i s in t he sunlight a nd t he ha nd of life is in t he wi nd.

So me of you s ay , "It i s t he nort h wind wh o ha s wove n t he c lot he s t o we ar ."

But s ha me w as his l oo m, a nd t he sof te ni ng o f t he s in ew s w as his t hr ea d.

An d w he n his w or k w as d on e h e l aughe d in t he f or es t.

F or ge t n ot t ha t m od es ty i s f or a s hi el d a ga ins t t he e ye o f t he un cl ea n.

An d w he n t he unc le an s ha ll b e n o m or e, w ha t w er e m od es ty b ut a f et te r a nd a fouling o f t he mind?

An d f or ge t n ot t ha t t he e ar th de light s t o f ee l y ou r b a re f ee t a nd t he wi nds l ong t o p la y wit h y ou r h ai r.

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17/43

B uy in g & S el li ng

An d a m er ch an t s ai d, " Sp ea k t o u s o f Buying a nd Selling."

An d h e a ns we re d a nd s ai d:

T o y ou t he e ar th yi eld s h er f rui t, a nd y ou shall n ot w an t if y ou b ut k no w h ow t o fill y ou r h an ds .

I t i s in exchangi ng t he gi ft s o f t he eart h t hat y ou s hall f in d abu nd an ce an d b e s at is fi ed .

Y et un le ss t he e xc ha ng e b e in l ove a nd kindly j us ti ce , it will b ut l ea d s om e t o g re ed a nd o th er s t o hu nge r.

Wh en in t he m ar ke t p la ce y ou t oi le rs of t he s e a a nd fi el ds a nd v ine ya rd s m ee t t he w ea ve rs a nd t he p ot te r s a n d t he g at he re rs

of s pi ce s, -

Invoke then the master spirit of the earth, to come into your midst and sanctify the scales and the reckoning that weighs

value against value.

An d s uff er n ot t he b ar re n- ha nd ed t o t a ke p ar t in yo ur t ra ns ac ti on s, w ho w oul d se ll t he ir w or ds f or y ou r l ab ou r.

T o s uc h men y ou s hou ld s ay ,

"Come with us t o t he field, o r g o with ou r b ro th er s t o t he s ea a nd c as t your ne t;

F or t he land a nd t he s ea shall b e bountiful t o you e ve n a s t o us ."

An d if t he re c om e t he s ing er s a nd t he d an ce rs a nd t he flute p la ye rs , - bu y o f t he ir gifts a ls o.

For they too are gatherers of fruit and frankincense, and that which they bring, though fashioned of dreams, is raiment and

f oo d f or y ou r s ou l.

An d b ef or e yo u l ea ve t he m ar ke tp la ce , s e e t ha t n o o ne h as g on e his w ay wit h e mpt y h an ds .

F or t he m as te r s pi ri t o f t he e ar th sha ll n ot s le ep pe ac ef ul ly u po n t he wi nd till t he n ee ds o f t he l ea st o f y ou a r e s at is fi ed.

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18/43

Crime & Punishment

The n o ne o f t he j ud ge s o f t he c it y s t oo d f or th a nd s ai d, " Sp ea k t o u s o f Cr im e a nd Punis hment."


I t i s w hen y ou r s pi ri t g oes w an deri ng u po n t he w in d,

T hat y ou , alo ne an d u ng uard ed , com mi t a w ro ng u nt o o t her s and t her ef or e u nt o y ou rs el f.

An d f or t ha t w ro ng c omm it te d m ust y ou k no ck a nd w ai t a while u nh ee de d a t t he g at e o f t he b le ss ed .

Li ke t he o ce an i s yo ur g od -s el f;

It remains for ever undefiled.

An d l ike t he e th er i t lifts b ut t he wi ng ed .

Even l ik e t he s un i s y ou r g od -s elf ;

I t k no ws not t he w ays of t he mole n or s ee ks it t he hol es of t he s er pe nt .

But y ou r g od -s el f d oe s n ot dw el l a lo ne in y our be in g.

Much in you is still ma n, a nd much in you is no t y et man,

Bu t a s hapel es s pi gmy t hat w al ks as leep i n t he m is t s earchi ng f or i ts o wn awakeni ng .

And of t he man in you would I n ow s pe ak .

F or i t i s h e a nd n ot y ou r g od -s el f n or t he pigmy in t he m is t, t ha t k no ws c ri me a nd t he puni shment o f c ri me .

Of te nt ime s h av e I h ea rd y ou s p ea k o f o ne w ho c om mit s a w ro ng a s though h e w er e n ot o ne o f y ou , b ut a st ra ng er u nt o yo u

and an i nt ru der u po n y ou r w or l d.

But I s ay t ha t e ve n a s t he holy a nd t he ri ghte ous c anno t r is e b ey on d t he highest which i s in e ac h o ne of you,

S o t he w ic ke d a nd t he w ea k c an no t fall l ow er t ha n t he l ow es t which i s in y ou a ls o.

An d a s a single l ea f t ur ns n ot ye llow b ut wi th t he s ile nt k no wl ed ge o f t he wh ol e t r ee ,

S o t he w r on g- d oer can no t d o w ro ng w it ho ut t he h id den will o f y ou all .

L ik e a p ro ces si on y ou w al k t og et her t o war ds y ou r g od -s elf .

You a re t he wa y a nd t he wa yf ar er s.

A nd w hen o ne o f y ou f al ls d ow n h e f al ls f or t h os e b eh in d h im , a cau ti on again st t he s tum bl ing s t on e.

Ay , a nd h e falls f or t ho se a he ad o f him, w ho t hough f as te r a nd s ur er o f f oo t, y et r em ov ed n ot t he stumbling s to ne .

A nd t hi s al so , t ho ug h t he w o rd l ie h eavy u po n y ou r h eart s:

T he m ur dered i s n ot u naccou nt ab le f or h is o wn m ur der,

An d t he r o bb e d i s n ot bl am el es s in b ei ng r o bb e d.

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19/43

The r ig ht eo us i s n ot i nnoc en t o f t he d e ed s o f t he w ic ke d,

An d t he w hi te -h an de d i s n ot c le an in t he d oi ng s o f t he f el on.

Y ea, t he guilty i s o ft en ti mes t he victi m o f t he i nj ur ed ,

A nd s til l m or e o ft en t he con demn ed i s t he b u rd en- b ear er f or t he g ui lt less an d u nb lamed.

Yo u c an no t s e pa r at e t he j us t fr om t he unj us t a nd t he g oo d f rom t he w ic ke d;

F or the y s ta nd t og et he r b ef or e t he f ac e of t he s un eve n a s t he b la ck t hr ea d a nd t he white a re wove n t og et he r.

An d w he n t he b la ck t hr ea d b r ea k s, t he w ea ve r s ha ll l oo k i nt o t he w ho le c lo th , a nd h e shal l e xa mi ne t he l oom a ls o.

If any of you would bring judgment the unfaithful wife,

L et him al so w ei gh t t he h ear t o f h er h us band i n s cal es, an d m eas ur e hi s s ou l w it h m easu rement s.

An d l et him w ho w oul d l as h t he o ff en de r l oo k u nt o t he s pi ri t o f t he o ff en de d.

An d if a ny o f y ou w ou ld punis h in t he n am e o f r igh te ou sn es s a nd l ay t he a xe u nt o t he evil t re e , l et him s e e t o i ts r oo ts ;

A nd veri ly h e will f ind t he r o ot s o f t he g o od an d t he b ad , t he fruitful an d t he f ru it less , all ent wi ned t o g et her i n t he s il en t h eart

of t he e ar th .

An d y ou j ud ge s w ho w oul d b e j us t,

W hat j ud gm en t p ro no un ce y ou u po n him w ho t ho ug h h on es t in t he f lesh y et i s a t hi ef i n s pi ri t?

W hat p en al ty l ay y ou u po n him w ho s lays i n t he f lesh y et i s hi ms el f s lain i n t he s pi ri t?

An d h ow p ro se cu te y ou him w ho in a ct io n i s a d ec ei ve r a nd a n o pp re s so r ,

Y et w ho a ls o i s a gg ri ev ed a nd o ut ra ge d?

A nd h ow s hall y ou p uni sh t h os e w ho s e r emo rs e i s alr ead y g r eat er t han t heir m is deeds ?

I s n ot r emo rs e t he j us ti ce w hi ch i s adm in is tered b y t hat v er y l aw w hi ch y ou w ou ld f ai n s erv e?

Y et yo u c an no t la y r em or se u po n t he i nnoc en t n or lift it f rom t he h ea rt o f t he guilty.

U nb id den s hall i t cal l in t he ni gh t, t hat m en m ay w ake an d g aze u po n t hems el ves.

A nd y ou w ho w ou ld u nd er st an d j us ti ce, h ow s hall y ou u nl es s y ou l oo k u po n all d eeds i n t he f ul lness o f l ight ?

Onl y t hen s hall y ou k no w t hat t he er ect an d t he f al len ar e b ut o ne m an s tand in g i n twili ght b etw een t he ni ght o f h is p ig my -s el f

a nd t he d ay o f hi s g od -s el f,

An d t ha t t he c or ne r- st on e o f t he t emp le i s n ot highe r t ha n t he l ow es t s to ne in i ts f oun da ti on.

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20/43

Laws

The n a l aw ye r s ai d, "But w ha t o f o ur L aw s, m as te r? "


You delight in laying down laws,

Y et y ou d el ig ht m or e i n b reak in g t hem.

L ik e chi ld ren pl ayi ng b y t he o cean w ho bu il d s and - to w er s w it h con st an cy an d t hen d est r oy t hem wi th l au gh ter.

But while yo u bui ld y ou r s a nd -t ow er s t he o ce an br ings m or e s an d t o t he s ho re ,

A nd w hen y ou d est r oy t hem, t he o cean l au gh s w it h y ou .

Verily the ocean laughs always with the innocent.

But w ha t of t ho se t o whom life is n ot a n o ce an , a nd m an- ma de l aws a re no t s an d- to we rs ,

But t o w hom life i s a r o ck , a nd t he l aw a c hi se l wit h whi ch t he y w ou ld c ar ve i t in t he ir o wn l ik en es s?

W ha t o f t he c ri pp le w ho h at es d an ce rs ?

Wha t of t he o x wh o l ove s his y ok e a nd de em s t he e lk a nd d ee r of t he f or es t s tr ay a nd va gr ant things?

W ha t o f t he o ld s er pe nt w ho c an no t s he d hi s s ki n, a nd c al ls all o th er s n ak ed a nd s ha me le ss ?

And of him who comes early to the wedding-feast, and when over-fed and tired goes his way saying that all feasts are

violation and all feasters law-breakers?

Wha t shall I s ay of t he se s av e t ha t t he y t oo s ta nd in t he sunlight, b ut with thei r b ac ks t o t he s un?

The y s e e only t he ir s ha do ws , a nd t he ir s ha do ws a r e t he ir l aw s.

And what is t he sun t o them but a c as te r of s ha dow s?

And wha t is it t o a ckno wl edg e t he l aw s bu t t o s to op d ow n a nd t ra ce thei r s ha do ws up on t he e ar th?

But y ou w ho w al k fac ing t he s un , w ha t i ma ges d ra wn o n t he e ar th c an ho ld y ou ?

Y ou w ho t ravel w it h t he w in d, w hat w eath er vane s hall d ir ect y ou r co ur s e?

W ha t m an 's l aw shal l b in d y ou if yo u b r ea k y ou r y ok e b ut u po n n o m an 's p ri so n d oo r ?

W ha t l aw s s hal l y ou f ea r if yo u d an ce b ut s tum bl e a ga ins t n o m an 's i ron c ha ins ?

An d w ho i s h e t ha t shall bri ng yo u t o j udgme nt if y ou t ea r off yo ur g ar me nt y et l ea ve it in n o m an 's p at h?

People of Orphalese, you can muffle the drum, and you can loosen the strings of the lyre, but who shall command the

s ky lark n ot t o s in g?

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21/43

Freedom

And a n o ra to r s ai d, " Sp ea k t o us of F re edo m. "


At t he c it y g at e a nd b y y our f ir es ide I h av e s ee n y ou p ro st ra t e your se lf a nd w or sh ip y ou r o wn f re ed om ,

Even as s laves hu mb le t hems el ves b efo re a t yr an t an d p r ai s e him t ho ug h h e s lays t hem.

Ay, in the grove of the temple and in the shadow of the citadel I have seen the freest among you wear their freedom as a

y ok e an d a h an dcuf f.

A nd my h ear t b led wi thin m e; f or y ou can o nl y b e f ree w hen even t he d es i re o f s eeki ng f reed om becom es a harn es s t o y ou ,

a nd when you c ea se t o s pe ak of f re edom a s a goal a nd a fulfilment.

You shall b e f re e i nde ed whe n your d ay s a re no t without a c ar e no r your nights without a w ant a nd a grief,

But r at he r w he n t he se thi ngs gir dl e y ou r life a nd y et y ou r is e a bo ve the m n ak ed a nd u nb ou nd .

An d h ow shall yo u r is e b ey on d y ou r d ay s a nd nights u nl es s y ou b r ea k t he c ha in s whic h y ou a t t he d aw n o f y ou r

understanding have fastened around your noon hour?

In t rut h t ha t whi ch y ou ca ll f re ed om i s t he s tr on ge st o f t he se c ha in s, t hough i ts li nks gl it te r in t he s un a nd da zz le t he e ye s.

An d w ha t i s i t b ut fr agm ent s o f y ou r o wn se lf yo u wo ul d d is ca rd t ha t y ou ma y b ec om e f re e?

If i t i s a n unj us t l aw y ou w oul d a bo li sh, t ha t l aw w as w ri tt en wit h y ou r o wn h an d u po n y ou r o wn f or eh ea d.

Y ou can no t er as e i t b y b ur ni ng y ou r l aw b o ok s n or b y w as hi ng t he f or eheads o f y ou r j ud ges , t ho ug h y ou po ur th e s ea up on

them.

An d if i t i s a d e sp ot yo u w ou ld d et hr on e, s e e f ir st t ha t hi s t hr on e e r ec t ed within y ou i s d es tr oy ed .

F or h ow c an a t yr ant rule t he f re e a nd t he p ro ud , bu t f or a tyranny in the ir own f re edom a nd a s ha me in thei r w on p ri de ?

And if it is a c ar e you woul d c as t off, t ha t c ar e h as b ee n c ho se n by you r at he r t ha n i mpo se d u pon you.

And if it is a fear you would dispel, the s ea t of that f ear is in your he ar t a nd not in the hand of the f ea re d.

Verily all things move within your being in constant half embrace, the desired and the dreaded, the repugnant and thecheri sh ed , t he p ur su ed an d t hat wh ich y ou w ou ld es cape.

T hese t hi ngs m ov e wi thi n y ou as l ight s an d s h ad ow s i n p ai r s t hat cli ng.

An d w he n t he s ha do w f ad es a nd i s n o m or e, t he light t ha t li nger s b ec om es a s ha do w t o a no th er light.

An d t hus y ou r f re ed om wh en it l os es i ts f et te rs b ec om es i tse lf t he f et te r o f a g re at er f re ed om .

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R e a so n & P as si o n

An d t he p ri es te ss s p ok e a ga in a nd s ai d:

" Sp ea k t o u s o f R ea so n a nd P as si on ."


Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against passion and your

appetite.

Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into

oneness and melody.

But h ow s ha ll I , u nl es s y ou y ou rs el ve s b e a ls o t he p ea ce ma ke r s, n ay , t he l ov er s o f al l yo ur e le me nt s?

Y ou r r ea so n a nd y our p as si on a r e t he r ud de r a nd t he s ai ls o f y ou r s ea fa ri ng s oul .

If ei the r your sails o r ou r r ud de r b e b ro ke n, you c an bu t t os s a nd dr if t, o r e ls e b e held a t a standstill in m id -s ea s.

F o r r easo n, ruling alo ne, i s a f or ce conf ini ng; an d p ass i on , u natt end ed , i s a f lame t hat b ur ns t o i ts o wn d es tr uct io n.

T he re for e l et y ou r s ou l e xa lt y ou r r ea so n t o t he he ight o f p as si on ; t ha t i t m ay s ing;

A nd l et i t d ir ect y ou r p as si on w it h r easo n, t hat y ou r p as s io n m ay l ive t hr ou gh i ts o wn d ai ly r es ur rect io n, and l ik e t h e p ho en ix

r is e a bo ve i ts o wn a sh es .

I w ou ld h av e y ou c on si de r yo ur j udgme nt a nd y ou r a pp et it e e ve n a s y ou w oul d t wo l ov ed g ue st s in y our h ou se .

Surely you would not honour one guest above the other; for he who is more mindful of one loses the love and the faith of

both.

Among the hills, when you sit in the cool shade of the white poplars, sharing the peace and serenity of distant fields and

m ea do ws - t he n l et y ou r h ea rt s ay in s il en ce , " Go d r es ts in r ea so n. "

And when the storm comes, and the mighty wind shakes the forest, and thunder and lightning proclaim the majesty of the

s ky , - t he n l et y our h ea rt s ay in a w e, " Go d m ov es in p as si on ."

And s inc e you a re a b re at h I n G od 's s ph er e, a nd a leaf in G od 's f or es t, you t oo should r es t in r ea so n a nd move in pa ss io n.

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Pain

An d a wo ma n s p ok e , s ayi ng, "Tell u s o f Pa in ."

An d h e s ai d:

Y ou r p ai n i s t he b reak in g o f t he s hell t hat encl os es y ou r u nd er st an di ng .

Even a s t he s to ne of t he fruit must b re ak , t ha t it s he ar t may s ta nd in t he sun, s o must you kn ow pa in.

And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than

your joy;

An d y ou w oul d a c ce p t t he s ea so ns o f y ou r h ea rt , e ve n a s y ou h av e a lw ay s a c ce p te d t he s ea so ns t ha t p a ss o ve r yo ur f ie ld s.

A nd y ou w ou ld w at ch wi th s er en it y t hr ou gh t he w in ters o f y ou r g ri ef .

M uch o f y ou r p ai n i s s elf -cho sen.

I t i s t he b it t er p ot io n b y w hi ch t he p hy si ci an wit hi n y ou h eals y ou r s i ck s el f.

Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquillity:

F or hi s h an d, t hough he avy a nd h ar d, i s g ui de d b y t he t en de r h an d o f t he U ns ee n,

A nd t he cup h e b ri ng s, t ho ug h i t b ur n y ou r l ip s, h as b een f as hi on ed o f t he clay w hi ch t he P o tt er h as m oi st en ed w it h H is o wn

s acred t ears .

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Self-Knowledge

An d a ma n s ai d, " Sp ea k t o u s o f S el f- Kn ow le dg e. "


Y ou r h ea rt s k no w in s il en ce t he s ec r et s o f t he d ay s a nd t he ni ghts .

But y ou r e a rs t hi rs t f or t he s ou nd o f yo ur h ea rt 's k no wl ed ge .

Yo u w oul d k no w in w or ds t ha t whic h y ou h av e a lw ays k no w in t hou ght .

Yo u w oul d t ou ch wi th y ou r fi nger s t he n ak ed b od y o f yo ur d re am s.

An d it i s we ll y ou s hou ld .

T he h id den w el l- sp ri ng o f y ou r s ou l m us t n eed s r is e and r un murmuring t o t he s ea;

An d t he t re as ur e o f y ou r infinite d ep th s w oul d b e r ev ea le d t o y ou r e ye s.

But l et t he re b e n o s ca le s t o wei gh y ou r u nkno wn t re as ur e;

An d s e ek n ot t he d ep th s of y ou r k no wl ed ge wit h s ta ff o r s oundi ng li ne .

F or s elf i s a s e a b ou nd le ss a nd m ea su re le ss .

S ay n ot , " I h ave f ou nd t he t rut h," b ut r at he r, " I h av e f ound a t rut h. "

S ay n ot , " I h ave f ou nd t he p at h o f t he s oul ." S ay r at he r, "I h av e m et t he s ou l wa lking u po n my p at h. "

F or t he s ou l w al ks u po n a ll p at hs .

The soul w al ks no t u pon a line, neither d oe s it gr ow like a r ee d.

T he s ou l u nf ol ds i ts el f, l ik e a l ot us o f cou nt less p et als .

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Teaching

The n s ai d a t ea ch er , " Sp ea k t o u s o f Te ac hi ng."

An d h e s ai d:

No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of our knowledge.

T he t each er w ho w al ks in t he s h ad ow o f t he t em pl e, amo ng h is f ol lo wers , g iv es n ot o f h is w is do m bu t r ath er o f hi s fait h an d

his lovingness.

If h e is i nde ed wi se he d oe s no t bi d you e nt er t he hous e of wi sdom, bu t r at he r l ea ds you t o t he thr es hol d of your own mind.

T he as tr on om er m ay s p eak t o y ou o f hi s u nd er st an di ng o f s p ace, b ut h e can no t g ive y ou h is u nd er st an di ng .

The musician ma y s ing t o y ou o f t he rhythm whi ch i s in all s p ac e , b ut h e c an no t give yo u t he e a r which a rr es ts t he rhythm n or

t he v oi ce t ha t e ch oe s i t.

And he who is versed in the science of numbers can tell of the regions of weight and measure, but he cannot conduct you

thither.

F or t he vision o f o ne ma n l en ds n ot i ts wings t o a no th er m an.

An d e ve n a s e ac h o ne o f yo u s ta nd s a lo ne in G od 's k no wl ed ge , s o mus t e ac h o ne o f y ou b e a lo ne in hi s k no wl ed ge o f G od

and in h is u nd er st an di ng o f t he eart h.

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Friendship

An d a y out h s ai d, " Sp ea k t o u s o f F ri end shi p. "

Y ou r f ri en d i s y ou r n eed s an sw ered .

H e i s y ou r f ield w hi ch y ou s o w w it h l ov e an d r eap w it h t hanks gi vi ng .

An d h e i s y ou r b oa r d a nd y ou r f ir es id e.

F or you c om e t o him with your hunger, a nd you s ee k him f or p ea ce .

Wh en y ou r f rie nd s p ea k s his mind y ou f ea r n ot t he "nay" in y ou r o wn mi nd, n or d o y ou wi thhol d t he "ay."

And whe n he is silent your he ar t c ea se s no t t o listen t o his he ar t;

F o r w it ho ut w o rd s , i n f ri en ds hi p, all t ho ug ht s, all d esi r es , all exp ect at io ns ar e b or n and s h ar ed, w it h j oy t hat i s u nacclaim ed .

W hen y ou p art f ro m y ou r f ri en d, y ou g ri ev e n ot ;

F or t ha t whic h y ou l ove m os t in him ma y b e c le ar er in hi s a bs en ce , a s t he mount ain t o t he c lim be r i s c le ar er f rom t he pl ai n.

An d l et t he re b e n o p ur po se in f rie nds hip s av e t he d ee pe ni ng o f t he s pi ri t.

For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is

caught.

And l et your b es t b e f or your f rie nd.

If h e must k no w t he e bb of your t id e, l et him kn ow its fl ood a ls o.

F or w ha t i s y ou r f ri end t ha t y ou s hou ld s e ek him wit h h ou rs t o kill?

S eek him alw ay s wi th h ou rs t o l iv e.

F or i t i s his t o fill yo ur n ee d, b ut n ot yo ur e mp ti ne ss .

A nd in t he s w eet nes s o f f ri en ds hi p l et t her e b e l au gh ter, an d s hari ng o f p l eas ur es.

F or in t he d ew o f little things t he h ea rt f inds i ts morning a nd i s r ef re sh ed .

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Talking

A nd t hen a s ch ol ar s aid , " S peak o f T al ki ng. "


You t al k when you c ea se t o b e a t p ea ce with your thoughts;

An d w he n y ou c an n o l ong er d we ll in t he s ol it ude o f y ou r h ea rt y ou live in y ou r l ips , a nd s ou nd i s a di ve rs ion a nd a p as ti me .

And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered.

F or thought is a bi rd of s pa ce , t ha t in a c ag e of w or ds many i nde ed unfold its wings b ut c an not fly.

T he re a r e t ho se a mong y ou w ho s e ek t he t al ka ti ve t hr ough f ea r o f be ing a lo ne .

The s il enc e o f a lo ne ne ss r ev ea ls t o t he ir e ye s t he ir n ak ed s el ve s a nd t he y w ou ld e s ca p e.

An d t he re a r e t ho se w ho t al k, a nd w it hout k no wl ed ge o r f or et houg ht r ev ea l a t ru th whi ch t he y t he ms el ve s d o n ot

understand.

An d t he re a r e t ho se w ho h av e t he t rut h within t he m, b ut t he y t el l i t n ot in w or ds .

In t he b os om o f s uc h a s t he se t he s pi ri t dw el ls in rhythmic s il en ce .

When you meet your friend on the roadside or in the market place, let the spirit in you move your lips and direct your

tongue.

Le t t he voic e within your voi ce s pe ak t o t he e ar of his e ar ;

F or his soul will k ee p t he truth of your he ar t a s t he t as te of t he wine is r em em be re d

Wh en t he c ol ou r i s f or go tt en a nd t he v es se l i s n o m or e.

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Time

A nd an as tr on om er s aid , " Mas ter, w hat o f Ti me?"


You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable.

Yo u w oul d a dj us t y our c on du ct a nd e ve n d ir ec t t he c ou rs e o f y ou r s pi ri t a cc or di ng t o h ou rs a nd s e as on s.

O f t ime y ou w oul d m ak e a s tr ea m u po n w ho se b an k y ou w oul d s it a nd w at ch i ts flowing.

Y et t he t im el es s in y ou i s aw ar e o f l if e' s t im el es sn es s,

An d k no ws t ha t y es te rd ay i s b ut t od ay 's me mor y a nd t om or ro w i s t od ay 's d re am .

And that that which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the

s ta rs i nt o s p ac e .

W ho a mong y ou d o es n ot f ee l t ha t his p ow er t o l ov e i s b ou nd le ss ?

And yet who does not feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the centre of his being, and moving not

form l ove t hought t o l ov e t houg ht , n or fr om l ov e d e ed s t o o th er l ov e d e ed s ?

An d i s n ot ti me e ve n a s l ov e i s, und ivi de d a nd p ac el es s?

But if in y ou t hought yo u mus t m ea su re t ime i nt o s ea so ns , l et e ac h s e as on e nc ir cl e all t he o th er s e as on s,

A nd l et t o day em br ace t he p as t w it h r em em br an ce an d t he f ut ur e wi th l ongi ng.

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Go od & E vi l

And o ne of t he e ld er s of t he city s ai d, " Sp ea k t o us of G oo d a nd Evil."


Of the g ood in you I c an s pe ak , but not of t he evil.

F or w ha t i s evil b ut g oo d t or tu re d b y i ts o wn hunge r a nd t hi rs t?

Verily w he n g oo d i s hungry i t s e ek s f oo d e ve n in d a rk c a ve s, a nd w he n i t t hi rs ts , i t d ri nk s e ve n o f d e ad w at er s.

Yo u a r e g oo d w he n yo u a r e o ne with you rs el f.

Y et w he n y ou a r e n ot o ne wit h your se lf y ou a r e n ot evil .

F or a divided hous e i s n ot a d en of t hie ve s; it i s only a divided ho us e.

A nd a s hi p w it ho ut r u dd er m ay w and er aim less ly amo ng p er il ou s i sl es y et s in k n ot t o t he b ot t om .

Yo u a r e g oo d w he n yo u s tr iv e t o gi ve o f yo ur se lf .

Y et yo u a r e n ot evil w he n y ou s e ek gai n f or yo ur se lf .

F or when you s tri ve f or gain you a re but a r oo t t ha t clings t o t he e ar th a nd s uc ks a t h er b re as t.

Sure ly t he fruit c an no t s ay t o t he r oo t, " Be li ke m e, r ip e a nd full a nd e ve r giving o f y ou r a bu nd an ce ."

F or t o t he fruit giving is a n ee d, a s receiving is a n ee d t o t he r oo t.

Yo u a r e g oo d w he n yo u a r e fully a w ak e in y ou r s pe ec h,

Y et y ou ar e n ot evi l w hen y ou s l eep w hi le y ou r t on gu e s tagg er s w it ho ut p u rp o se.

A nd even st umbl ing s p eech m ay s tr en gt hen a w eak t on gu e.

Yo u a r e g oo d w he n yo u w al k t o y ou r g oa l firmly a nd wit h b ol d s t ep s.

Y et y ou ar e n ot evi l w hen y ou g o t hi th er li mping.

Eve n t ho se w ho limp g o n ot b a ck wa r d.

But y ou w ho a r e s tr on g a nd s wi ft , s e e t ha t yo u d o n ot limp b ef or e t he l am e, de eming i t k in dn es s.

You a re g oo d in c ount le ss w ays , a nd you a re no t evil whe n you a re n ot g oo d,

You are only loitering and sluggard.

Pi ty t ha t t he s ta gs c an no t t ea ch s wi ft ne ss t o t he t ur tl es .

I n y ou r longing f or y ou r g iant s el f l ies y ou r g oo dn es s: and t hat longing i s i n all o f y ou .

Bu t i n s om e o f y ou t hat longing i s a t or ren t r us hi ng w it h might t o t he s ea, car ry in g t he s ecret s o f t he hi ll si des and t he s on gs o f

the forest.

An d in o th er s i t i s a f la t s tr ea m t ha t l os es it self in a ng le s a nd b en ds a nd li nger s b ef or e it r ea ch es t he s ho re .

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Bu t l et n ot him w ho l on gs m uch s ay t o him w ho l on gs l it tl e, " Wh er ef or e ar e y ou s lo w and halti ng?"

F or t he t ruly g oo d a s k n ot t he n ak ed , " Wh er e i s y ou r ga rme nt ?" n or t he h ou se le ss , " Wha t h as be fa ll en y ou r h ou se ?"

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Prayer

Then a pr ie st es s s ai d, " Sp ea k t o us of P ra ye r. "


You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of

abundance.

F o r w hat i s p r ay er b ut t he exp an si on o f y ou rs el f i nt o t he living et her ?

And if it is for your comfort t o pour your darkness into spa ce, it is also for your delight to pour forth the dawning of your

heart.

And if you cannot but weep when your soul summons you to prayer, she should spur you again and yet again, though

weeping, until you shall come laughing.

When you pray you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour, and whom save in prayer you may not

meet.

T herefo re l et y ou r vi si t t o t hat t em pl e i nvi si bl e b e f or n au gh t b ut ecst asy and s w eet com mun io n.

F or if y ou s hou ld e nt er t he t emp le f or n o o th er p ur po se t ha n a ski ng y ou shall n ot r ec ei ve .

A nd if y ou s ho ul d ent er i nt o i t t o h um bl e y ou rs el f y ou s hall n ot b e l if ted:

O r eve n if you s hould e nt er into it t o b eg f or t he g oo d of o th er s you shall no t b e h ea rd .

I t i s eno ug h t hat y ou ent er t he t em pl e i nvi si bl e.

I c ann ot t ea ch you ho w t o p ra y in w or ds .

G od l is te ns n ot t o y ou r w or ds s av e w he n H e Himself u tt er s t he m t hr ough y ou r l ips .

And I c anno t t ea ch you t he p ra ye r of t he s ea s a nd t he f or es ts a nd t he mountains.

But you w ho a re b or n of t he mountains a nd t he f or es ts a nd t he s ea s c an find the ir p ra ye r in your h ea rt ,

A nd if y ou b ut l is ten i n t he s ti ll ness o f t he ni ght y ou s hall h ear t hem s ay in g in s il en ce,

"O ur G od , w ho a r t o ur wi nge d s el f, it i s t hy will in u s t ha t wille th.

I t i s t hy d es ir e in u s t ha t d es ir et h.

I t i s t hy ur ge in u s t ha t w oul d t ur n o ur ni ghts , whi ch a r e t hi ne , i nt o d ay s whi ch a r e t hine a ls o.

W e c anno t a sk t he e f or a ught , f or thou kn ow es t o ur n ee ds b ef or e they a re b or n in us:

Thou a r t o ur n ee d; a nd in giving u s m or e o f thysel f t ho u gi ve st u s all."

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Pleasure

The n a he rmi t, w ho v is it ed t he c it y o nc e a y ea r, c am e f or th a nd s ai d, " Sp ea k t o u s o f P le as ur e. "


P le as ur e i s a f re ed om s on g,

But i t i s n ot f re ed om .

I t i s t he b lo ss om in g o f y ou r d esi r es ,

But i t i s n ot t he ir fr uit .

I t i s a d ep th calling u nt o a hei ght ,

But it is n ot t he d ee p n or t he high.

I t i s t he c a ge d t aki ng wi ng,

But i t i s n ot s p ac e e nc om pa ss ed .

A y, in v er y t ru th , p leasu re i s a f r eedo m- s on g.

An d I fain wo ul d h av e yo u sing i t wit h fullness o f h ea rt ; y et I w ou ld n ot h av e y ou l os e yo ur h ea rt s in t he singing.

So me of your youth s ee k pl ea su re a s if it w er e all, a nd they a re j ud ge d a nd r eb uk ed .

I would no t j udge n or r eb uk e the m. I would ha ve them s ee k.

F o r t hey s hall f ind p leasu re, b ut n ot h er alo ne:

S ev en a r e h er s is te rs , a nd t he l ea st o f t he m i s m or e be autif ul t ha n p le as ur e.

Ha ve you no t h ea rd of t he man who w as digging in t he e ar th fo r r oo ts a nd found a t re as ur e?

A nd s om e o f y ou r el der s r em em ber p leas ur es w it h r egr et l ik e w ro ng s com mi tt ed in d ru nk en ness .

Bu t r egr et i s t he b eclo ud in g o f t he m in d and n ot i ts chast is em en t.

They s ho ul d r em em ber t heir p leasu res wi th g rati tu de, as t hey w ou ld t he h ar ves t o f a s um mer.

Y et if i t c om fo rt s t he m t o r eg re t, l et t he m b e c om fo rt ed .

And t he re a re among you t ho se who a re ne ither young t o s ee k no r ol d t o r eme mber ;

A nd in t heir f ear o f s eeki ng and r em em beri ng t hey s hu n all p leasu res , l es t t hey n eg lect t he s pi ri t o r o ff en d again st i t.

Bu t even i n t heir f or eg oi ng i s t heir p leasu re.

A nd t hu s t hey t o o f in d a t r eas ur e t hou gh t hey d ig f or r o ot s w it h qui veri ng h an ds .

But te ll m e, w ho i s h e t ha t c an of fe nd t he s pi ri t?

Shall the nightingale offend the stillness of the night, or the firefly the stars?

An d s hal l y ou r flame o r yo ur s mo ke b ur de n t he w in d?

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Think yo u t he s pi ri t i s a still p oo l whic h y ou c an t ro ub le with a s ta ff ?

O ft en ti mes i n deny ing y ou rs el f p leasu re y ou d o b ut s t or e t he d esi r e i n t he r eces s es o f y ou r b ei ng .

W ho k no ws b ut t hat w hi ch s eem s o mi tt ed t o day , w ai ts f or t om or r ow ?

Eve n y ou r b od y k no ws i ts h er it ag e a nd i ts rightful n ee d a nd will n ot b e d ec ei ve d.

And your b od y is t he h ar p of your s oul ,

An d it i s y ou rs t o br ing f or th s we et musi c f rom i t o r c on fu se d s ou nd s.

An d n ow yo u a s k in yo ur h ea rt , " Ho w s hal l w e distinguish t ha t whic h i s g oo d in p le as ur e f rom t ha t which i s n ot g oo d? "

G o t o your fields a nd your g ar de ns , a nd you shall le ar n t ha t it is t he p le as ur e of t he b ee t o ga the r honey of t he f lowe r,

But it is a ls o t he p le as ur e of t he f lower t o yield it s hone y t o t he b ee .

F or t o t he b ee a flowe r i s a fountain of life,

And t o the flower a b ee is a messenger of love,

And t o b ot h, b ee a nd f lowe r, t he giving a nd t he receiving of pl ea sur e is a n ee d a nd a n e cs ta sy .

P eo pl e o f O rp ha le se , b e in y our p le as ur es li ke t he f lo we rs a nd t he b e es .

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Beauty

And a p oe t s ai d, " Sp ea k t o u s of Beauty."

W he re s ha ll y ou s e ek b ea ut y, a nd h ow shall yo u find h er unl es s s he h er se lf b e y ou r w ay a nd y ou r g ui de ?

And ho w shall you s pe ak of h er e xc ep t s he b e t he w ea ve r of your s pe ec h?

T he agg ri ev ed an d t he i nj ur ed s ay, " Beau ty i s k in d an d g en tl e.

Li ke a young m ot he r ha lf -s hy o f h er o wn gl or y s he w al ks a mong us ."

An d t he p as si on at e s ay , " Na y, b ea ut y i s a thing o f might a nd d r ea d .

Like t he t emp es t s he s ha ke s t he e ar th b en ea th us a nd t he s ky a bo ve us ."

The t ir ed a nd t he w ea ry s ay , " be aut y i s o f s of t w hi spe ri ng s. S he s p ea k s in o ur s pi ri t.

H er v oi ce yi el ds t o o ur s il enc es l ike a fai nt light t ha t q ui ve rs in f ea r o f t he s ha do w. "

Bu t t he r est l es s s ay, " We h av e h ear d h er s ho ut in g amo ng t he m ou nt ai ns ,

An d wit h h er c ri es c am e t he s ou nd o f h oo fs , a nd t he be at in g o f wings a nd t he r oa ri ng o f li ons."

At night t he wa tc hm en o f t he c ity s ay , " Be aut y s ha ll r is e wit h t he d aw n f rom t he e as t. "

An d a t n oo nt id e t he t oi le rs a nd t he w ay fa re rs s ay , " we h av e s ee n h er le aning o ve r t he e ar th fr om t he w in do ws o f t he s un se t. "

I n w in ter s ay t he s n ow - bo un d, " Sh e s hall com e wi th t he s pr in g l eapi ng u po n t he hil ls."

A nd in t he s um mer h eat t he r eaper s s ay, " We h av e s een h er d an ci ng w it h th e au tum n leaves, an d w e s aw a d r if t of s n ow i n

her hair."

All t hes e t hi ngs h av e y ou s ai d o f b eaut y.

Y et in t ru th y ou s p ok e n ot o f h er b ut o f n ee ds uns at is fi ed ,

And be aut y is n ot a n ee d bu t a n e cs ta sy .

I t i s n ot a mouth thirst ing n or a n e mp ty h an d s tr et ch ed f or th ,

But r at he r a h ea rt e nfl ame d a nd a s ou l e nc ha nt ed .

I t is n ot t he image you would s ee n or t he s ong you would h ea r,

But r at he r a n ima ge yo u s e e t hough y ou c lo se y our e ye s a nd a s on g yo u h ea r t hough y ou s hu t y ou r e a rs .

I t is n ot t he s ap within t he f ur row ed b ar k, n or a wing a tt ac he d t o a c la w,

But r at he r a ga rde n f or e ve r in bl oom a nd a fl ock of ange ls f or e ve r in flight.

P eop le o f O r ph al ese, b eaut y i s l ife w hen l ife unveil s h er h ol y f ace.

But you a re life a nd you a re t he veil.

B eaut y i s etern it y gazing at i ts el f in a m ir ro r.

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But y ou a r e e te rn it y a nd y ou r a r e t he m ir ro r.

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Religion

An d a n o ld p ri es t s ai d, " Sp ea k t o u s o f Religion."

An d h e s ai d:

Ha ve I s po ke n this d ay of aught e ls e?

I s n ot r el ig ion all d eeds an d all r ef lect io n,

And that which is neither deed nor reflection, but a wonder and a surprise ever springing in the soul, even while the hands

hew t he s to ne o r t en d t he loom?

W ho can s ep ar at e h is f ai th f ro m h is act i on s, o r h is b el ief f ro m h is o ccup at i on s?

Who can spread his hours before him, saying, "This for God and this for myself; This for my soul, and this other for my

body?"

All y ou r h ou rs a r e wings t ha t b e at t hr ough s p ac e f rom s el f t o s el f.

H e w ho w ea rs his mora lit y b ut a s hi s b es t ga rm en t w er e b et te r n ak ed .

The wi nd a nd t he s un will t e ar n o h ol es in hi s s ki n.

An d h e w ho d ef ine s hi s c on du ct b y e th ic s i mpr is ons his s on g- bi rd in a c ag e.

The f re es t s on g c om es n ot t hr ough b a rs a nd w ir es .

A nd h e t o w ho m w or sh ip pi ng i s a w in do w, t o o p en b ut al so t o s hu t, h as n ot y et v is it ed t he h ou se o f h is s ou l w ho se

wi ndo ws a r e fr om d aw n t o d aw n.

Y ou r dail y lif e i s y ou r t em pl e and y ou r r el ig io n.

W he ne ve r y ou e nt er i nt o i t t a ke with yo u y ou r a ll .

T ak e t he pl ough a nd t he f or ge a nd t he mal let a nd t he l ut e,

T he t hi ngs y ou h av e f as hi on ed i n n eces si ty o r f or d el ig ht .

F o r in r ev er ie y ou cann ot r is e ab ov e y ou r ach ievement s n or f all l ow er t han y ou r f ai lu res.

An d t a ke with yo u all men:

F o r in ado rat io n y ou cann ot fly h igh er t han t heir h op es n or hum bl e y ou rs el f l ow er t han t heir d esp air .

And if you would k no w G od b e no t t he re for e a s ol ve r of r idd le s.

R at her l o ok abo ut y ou an d y ou s hall s ee Hi m pl ay ing w it h y ou r chi ld ren.

A nd l oo k i nt o s p ace; y ou s hall s ee Hi m w al ki ng i n t he cl ou d, o ut st retchi ng H is arm s i n t he lightning an d d es cend in g i n r ai n.

Y ou s hall s ee Him smiling in f lo wers , t hen r isi ng and wavi ng H is h an ds i n t r ees .

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Death

Then Al mi tr a s p o ke, s ay in g, " We w ou ld as k n ow o f D eath ."

An d h e s ai d:

Yo u w oul d k no w t he s e cr e t o f d ea th .

But h ow s ha ll y ou find i t unl es s yo u s e ek it in t he h ea rt o f lif e?

T he o wl w ho se n ig ht -b ou nd eyes ar e bl ind u nt o t he d ay cann ot unveil t he m ys tery o f l ight .

If yo u w ou ld i nd ee d b eh ol d t he s pi ri t of d ea th , o pe n y ou r h ea rt w id e un to t he b od y of life .

F or life a nd de ath a re o ne , even a s the river and the s ea a re one .

In t he d ep th o f y our h op es a nd d es ir es l ie s y ou r si le nt k no wl ed ge o f t he b ey on d;

An d l ike s e ed s dr ea mi ng b en ea th t he s no w y ou r h ea rt d re am s o f s pr in g.

Tr us t t he d re am s, f or in t he m i s hi dd en t he g at e t o e te rn it y.

Y ou r f ea r o f d ea th i s b ut t he tre mbling o f t he s he ph er d w he n h e s ta nd s b ef or e t he king w ho se h an d i s t o b e l ai d u po n him in

honour.

I s t he s he ph er d n ot joyful b en ea th hi s t re mbli ng, t ha t h e s ha ll w ea r t he m ar k o f t he ki ng?

Y et i s h e n ot m or e mindful o f hi s t remb li ng ?

F or what is it t o die but t o st and na ke d in the wind and t o melt into t he sun?

And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God

unencumbered?

Onl y w hen y ou d ri nk f ro m t he r iv er o f s il en ce s hall y ou i nd eed s in g.

A nd w hen y ou h av e r each ed t he m ou nt ai n t o p , t hen y ou s hall b eg in t o cli mb.

A nd w hen t he eart h s hall claim y ou r l im bs , t hen s hall y ou t ru ly d ance.

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The Farewell

A nd n ow i t w as eveni ng .

An d Almi tra t he s e er es s s ai d, " Bl es se d b e thi s d ay a nd t hi s p la ce a nd yo ur s pi ri t t ha t h as s po ke n. "

And he a ns we re d, W as it I who s po ke ? W as I not als o a listener?

Then he descended the steps of the Temple and all the people followed him. And he reached his ship and stood upon the

deck.

An d fa cing t he p eo pl e a ga in , h e r ai se d hi s v oi ce a nd s ai d:

P eo pl e o f O rp ha le se , t he wi nd b id s me l ea ve y ou .

Le ss hasty am I than the wind, yet I must go.

We wanderers, ever seeking the lonelier way, begin no day where we have ended another day; and no sunrise finds us

w here s un set l ef t u s.

Even whi le t he eart h s l eep s w e t ravel.

W e ar e t he s eeds o f t he t en acio us p lant , an d i t i s i n o ur r ip en es s and o u r ful lness o f heart t hat w e ar e gi ven to t h e wi nd an d

ar e s catt er ed .

Brief w er e my d ay s a mong y ou , a nd b ri ef er still t he w or ds I h ave s po ke n.

But s hou ld my v oi ce f ad e in y ou r e a rs , a nd my l ove va ni sh in yo ur m em or y, t he n I will c om e a ga in ,

An d wit h a r ic he r h ea rt a nd l ips m or e yielding t o t he s pi ri t will I s p ea k .

Y ea , I s ha ll r et ur n wi th t he t id e,

A nd t ho ug h d eat h m ay h id e m e, and t he g r eat er s il en ce enf ol d m e, y et again will I s eek y ou r u nd er st an di ng .

An d n ot in vai n w ill I s e ek .

If a ugh t I h av e s ai d i s t ru th, t ha t t rut h s ha ll r ev ea l it sel f in a c le ar er v oi ce , a nd in w or ds m or e ki n t o y ou r t ho ug ht s.

I g o with t he w in d, p eo pl e o f O rp ha le se , b ut n ot d ow n i nt o e mpt in es s;

And if this day is not a fulfilment of your needs and my love, then let it be a promise till another day. Know therefore, that

fr om t he g reater s il en ce I s hall r et ur n.

The mist t ha t dr if ts a wa y a t d aw n, leaving b ut d ew in t he f ie lds , shall r is e a nd g at he r i nt o a c lo ud a nd t he n fall d ow n in r ai n.

An d n ot unlike t he mi st h av e I b ee n.

In t he s ti ll ne ss o f t he night I h av e w al ke d in y ou r s tr ee t s, a nd my s pi ri t h as e nt er ed y our h ou se s,

And your h ea rt -b ea ts w er e in my h ea rt , a nd your b re at h w as u pon my f ac e, a nd I kn ew you all.

Ay, I kn ew your j oy a nd your pa in, a nd in your s le ep your dr ea ms w er e my d re am s.

A nd o ft en ti mes I w as amo ng y ou a l ake amo ng t he m ou nt ai ns .

I m ir ro re d t he summits in yo u a nd t he be nd ing s lo pe s, a nd e ve n t he p as si ng f lo ck s o f y our t houg ht s a nd y our d es ir es .

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A nd t o m y s il en ce came t he l au gh ter o f y ou r chi ld ren i n s t reams , an d t he longing o f y ou r y ou th s i n r iv er s.

And whe n they r ea ch ed my d ep th t he s tr ea ms a nd t he ri ve rs c ea se d n ot ye t t o sing.

Bu t s w eet er s ti ll t han l au gh ter and g r eat er t han l onging came t o m e.

I t w as b ou nd le ss in y ou;

The v as t ma n in w hom y ou a r e all b ut c el ls a nd s in ew s;

H e i n w ho se chant all y ou r s inging i s b ut a s ou nd less t hr ob bi ng .

It is in the vast man that you a re vas t,

An d in be ho ldi ng him t ha t I b eh el d yo u a nd l ov ed y ou .

F or wha t di st an ce s c an love r ea ch t ha t a re n ot in t ha t v as t s ph er e?

What visions, what expectations and what presumptions can outsoar that flight?

Like a giant o ak t re e c ov er ed with a pp le bl os som s is t he va st man in yo u.

His mind b in ds y ou t o t he e ar th , hi s f ra gr an ce lifts yo u i nt o s p ac e , a nd in his dur abi li ty y ou a r e d ea th le ss .

You ha ve b ee n t ol d t ha t, e ve n like a c ha in, you a re a s w ea k a s your w ea ke st link.

This i s b ut half t he t ru th. Y ou a r e a ls o a s s tr on g a s y ou r s tr on ge st l ink.

To me as ur e you by your smallest d ee d is t o r ec ko n t he p ow er of o ce an by t he frailty of its foa m.

T o j ud ge y ou b y yo ur fa il ur es i s t o c a st b la me u po n t he s ea s on s f or t he ir i nc ons is te nc y.

Ay, you a re like a n o ce an ,

A nd t ho ug h h eavy -g ro un ded s hi ps await t he t id e u po n y ou r s h or es , y et , even l ik e an o cean , y ou can no t h as ten y ou r t i des .

And like t he s ea so ns you a re a ls o,

A nd t ho ug h in y ou r w in ter y ou d en y y ou r s pr in g,

Y et s pr in g, r ep os in g wi thi n y ou , s mi les i n h er d ro ws in es s an d i s n ot o ff end ed .

Think not I s ay t he se things in o rd er t ha t you may s ay t he o ne t o t he o th er , "He p ra is ed u s well. H e s aw but t he g oo d in us."

I only s p ea k t o y ou in w or ds o f t ha t whi ch yo u yo ur se lve s k no w in t ho ug ht .

An d w ha t i s w or d k no wl ed ge b ut a s ha do w o f w or dl es s k no wl ed ge ?

Y ou r t hough ts a nd my w or ds a r e w av es f rom a s ea le d m emor y t ha t k e ep s r e co r ds o f o ur y es te rd ay s,

An d o f t he a nc ie nt d ay s wh en t he e ar th k ne w n ot u s n or h er se lf ,

And of nights when earth was upwrought with confusion,

Wis e men ha ve c ome t o you t o give you of their wi sdom. I c ame t o t ak e of your wisdom:

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Tr ue i t i s t ha t I h av e c li mb ed t he hills a nd w al ke d in r em ot e p la ce s.

Ho w c ould I ha ve s ee n you s av e from a g re at height o r a g re at d is ta nc e?

How c an one b e inde ed ne ar unless he b e fa r?

An d o th er s a mon g yo u c al le d u nt o m e, n ot in w or ds , a nd t he y s ai d,

S tr ang er , s t rang er , l ov er o f u nr each ab le h ei gh ts , w hy d well y ou amo ng t he s um mi ts w here eag les b ui ld t heir n es t s?

W hy s eek y ou t he u natt ai nabl e?

W ha t s to rm s w oul d y ou t r ap in y ou r n et ,

An d w ha t v ap or ou s b ir ds d o y ou hunt in t he s ky ?

Come and b e one of us.

D es ce nd a nd a p pe a se y ou r hunger with o ur b re a d a nd q ue nc h y ou r t hi rs t wi th o ur wi ne ."

I n t he s ol it ud e o f t heir s ou ls t hey s ai d t hes e t hi ng s;

But w er e t he ir s ol it ud e d e ep e r t he y w oul d h av e k no wn t ha t I s oug ht b ut t he s e cr e t o f y our j oy a nd y ou r p ai n,

An d I h unt ed only y ou r l ar ge r s el ve s t ha t w al k t he s ky .

But t he hun te r w as a ls o t he hunte d:

F or many of my a rr ow s left my b ow only t o s ee k my own b re as t.

An d t he flier w as a ls o t he c r ee pe r;

F or when my wings w er e s pr ea d in t he sun their s ha do w upon t he e ar th w as a tur tl e.

An d I t he be li ev er w as a ls o t he d ou bt er ;

For often have I put my finger in my own wound that I might have the greater belief in you and the greater knowledge of

you.

An d it i s wi th t his be lie f a nd t hi s k no wl ed ge t ha t I s ay ,

Yo u a r e n ot e nc lo se d within y ou r b od ie s, n or c on fi ne d t o h ou se s o r f ie lds .

T hat w hi ch i s y ou d well s ab ov e t he m ou nt ai n an d r o ves w it h t he w in d.

I t i s n ot a thing t ha t c ra wl s i nt o t he s un f or w ar mt h o r di gs h ol es i nt o d ar kn es s f or s af et y,

But a thing f re e, a s pi ri t t ha t e nv el op s t he e ar th a nd m ov es in t he e th er .

If this b e va gue w or ds , t he n s ee k no t t o c le ar t hem.

V ag ue and n eb ul ou s i s t he begi nning o f all t hi ng s, b ut n ot t heir en d,

An d I fain wo ul d h av e yo u r em em be r m e a s a beginning.

Life , a nd a ll t ha t l ive s, i s c on ce iv ed in t he mis t a nd n ot in t he c ry st al .

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And wh o k now s bu t a cr ys ta l i s mist in d ec ay ?

This w ou ld I h av e y ou r em em ber i n r em em beri ng m e:

T hat w hi ch s eem s m os t f eebl e an d b ew il der ed i n y ou i s t he s t ro ng es t and m os t d et er mi ned.

I s it n ot your b re at h t ha t h as e re ct ed a nd h ar de ne d t he s tr uc tur e of your b on es ?

An d i s i t n ot a d re am whi ch n on e o f y ou r em em be r having d re am t t ha t building y our c it y a nd f as hi on ed all t he re i s in i t?

Coul d you b ut s ee t he t ide s of t ha t b re at h you woul d c ea se t o s ee all e ls e,

An d if yo u c ou ld h ea r t he whis per ing of t he d re am y ou w ou ld h ea r n o o th er s ou nd .

But you d o n ot s ee , nor d o you he ar, a nd it is well.

The veil t ha t c lo ud s y ou r e ye s s ha ll b e li ft ed b y t he h an ds t ha t w ov e i t,

An d t he c la y t ha t fills y ou r e a rs shal l b e p ie rc ed b y t ho se fi nge rs t ha t k ne a de d i t.

An d y ou shall s e e

A nd y ou s hall h ear .

Y et y ou s hall n ot d epl o re havi ng k no wn b li nd ness , n or r egr et havi ng b een d eaf .

F or in t ha t d ay yo u s ha ll k no w t he h id de n p ur po se s in all t hings ,

An d y ou shall b le ss d ar kn es s a s y ou w oul d b le ss light.

After saying these things he looked about him, and he saw the pilot of his ship standing by the helm and gazing now at thefull s ai ls a nd n ow a t t he d is ta nc e.

An d h e s ai d:

P at ient , o ver -p at i en t, i s t he capt ai n o f my s hi p.

The wi nd b lo ws , a nd r es tl es s a r e t he s ai ls ;

Even t he r ud d er b eg s d ir ecti on ;

Yet quietly my captain awaits my silence.

An d t he se my m ar ine rs , w ho h av e h ea rd t he c ho ir o f t he g re at er s e a, t he y t o o h av e h ea rd m e p at ie nt ly .

Now they shall wait no longer.

I am r ea dy .

The s tr ea m h as r ea ch ed t he s ea , a nd o nc e mo re t he g re at mot her hol ds h er s on a gainst h er b re as t.

F ar e yo u we ll , p eo pl e o f O rp ha le se .

This d ay h as e nd ed .

I t i s cl osi ng u po n u s e ve n a s t he wa te r- li ly u po n i ts o wn t om or ro w.

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Wha t w as given us h er e w e shall k ee p,

An d if i t suf fi ce s n ot , t he n a ga in mus t w e c om e t og et he r a nd t og et he r s tr et ch o ur h an ds un to t he gi ve r.

F or ge t no t t ha t I shall c om e b ac k t o y ou.

A l it tl e w hi le, an d my longing s hall g at her d us t an d f oam f or ano th er b o dy .

A little whi le , a mome nt o f r es t u po n t he w in d, a nd a no th er w om an sha ll b ea r m e.

Fa re we ll t o y ou a nd t he y out h I h av e s pe nt with y ou .

It w as but ye st erda y we met in a dr eam .

You ha ve sung t o me in my a lon ene ss , a nd I of your longings ha ve built a t ow er in t he s ky .

But now o ur s le ep ha s fled a nd ou r d re am is o ve r, a nd it is n o longer d aw n.

The n oo nt id e i s u po n u s a nd o ur half w aki ng h as t ur ne d t o fuller d ay , a nd w e m ust p ar t .

If in the twilight of memory we should meet once more, we shall s peak again together and you shall sing to me a deeper

song.

An d if o ur h an ds s hou ld m ee t in a no th er d re am , w e sha ll bui ld a no th er t ow er in t he s ky .

S o s ay in g h e m ad e a s ign al t o t he s eamen, an d s tr ai gh taway t hey w ei gh ed ancho r an d cas t t h e s hi p l o os e f ro m i ts m oo ri ng s,

and t hey m ov ed eas tw ard .

And a cry came from the people as from a single heart, and it rose the dusk and was carried out over the sea like a great

trumpeting.

Onl y A lm it ra w as s il en t, gazing aft er t he s hi p until i t h ad v an is hed i nt o t he m is t.

An d w he n all t he p eo pl e w er e d is pe rs ed s he still s t oo d a lo ne u po n t he s ea -w al l, re me mbe ring in h er h ea rt his s ayi ng,

A little whi le , a mome nt o f r es t u po n t he w in d, a nd a no th er w om an sha ll b ea r m e.

Documents

48. Kalil-Gibran_The Prophet