The Madman
An English-language collection of poems and parables, published in 1918.
Bsharri, Lebanon · 1883–1931
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanese-American writer and visual artist; Arabic Mahjar literature
Explore this tradition and related voices →A lyrical spiritual voice on love, freedom, sorrow, joy, and the inner spaciousness of a human life.
The person behind the ideas
Gibran was a writer and visual artist who worked across Arabic and English and lived much of his life in the United States. His accessible literary style helped reshape modern Arabic writing. The Prophet, his best-known English book, approaches human life through lyrical prose.
Biography sources
Biography reference →At a glance
- Born
- 1883
- Died
- 1931
- Birthplace
- Bsharri, Ottoman Empire (Lebanon)
- Notable works
- The Madman · The Prophet · Sand and Foam
- Tradition
- Lebanese-American writer and visual artist; Arabic Mahjar literature
Ideas and outlook
Writing in Arabic and English, Gibran explores love, longing, freedom, and spiritual life. His lyrical prose and parables address human relationships through images and imagined voices.
About the works
The Prophet
Lyrical prose published in English in 1923, framed as a departing teacher’s addresses.
Sand and Foam
A collection of poems and aphorisms, published in 1926.
Life milestones
- 1904
Holds his first public exhibition of drawings in Boston.
- 1911
Moves to New York City with support from his patron Mary Haskell.
- 1923
Publishes The Prophet.
From this voice
A thought in the atlas
“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.”
The Prophet · “On Joy and Sorrow”
TidesOther quotes across journeys
Love without losing yourself
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
The Prophet · On Love · 1923
Visit this journey →Source details
The Prophet · On Love · 1923
An exact excerpt from Gibran’s prose poem on love. The short reflection below it is ours, not part of his text.
Read the source ↗Tides
The Prophet · On Joy and Sorrow
Design study · verified public-domain wording
Open card →