Khalil Gibran was a Lebanese-born writer, poet, philosopher, and artist whose words and artworks continue to touch millions around the globe. Growing up in Lebanon without formal schooling, Gibran was instead taught Arabic and the Bible by visiting priests, sparking a lifelong passion for language and spirituality.
After emigrating to the U.S. as a pre-teen, he launched a literary and artistic career that spanned continents and cultures, writing in both Arabic and English.
Best known for his timeless masterpiece, The Prophet (1923)—a poetic collection of essays that explore life’s deepest questions—Gibran’s influence reaches far and wide, with the book translated into over 100 languages.
In the realm of Arabic literature, he was celebrated (and sometimes criticized) as a bold rebel who broke away from tradition. As an artist, Gibran produced hundreds of hauntingly beautiful paintings and drawings. Amazingly, he ranks as the third best-selling poet of all time, following only Shakespeare and Laozi.
Below, you’ll find a list of Khalil Gibran’s most inspiring quotes and sayings, reflecting his unique perspectives on life, wisdom, love, and more.
Fun fact: Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet has never been out of print since its publication nearly a century ago!
Table of Contents
Famous Khalil Gibran Quotes
Start your journey with Gibran’s most beloved, widely-shared wisdom. These lines have echoed for generations, offering comfort and inspiration.
Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
— The Prophet (1923)
This powerful insight on parenthood reminds us to honor children’s autonomy and the larger flow of life.
Work is love made visible.
— The Prophet (1923)
Gibran’s thoughts on work remind us that our labor can be a reflection of our love for others and the world.
Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.
— Sand and Foam (1926)
Here, Gibran asks us to look beyond appearances and see beauty in character and spirit.
Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.
— Sand and Foam (1926)
He encourages us to honor resilience and the wisdom gained from struggle.
Quotes on Love
Love is at the core of Gibran’s philosophy. In The Prophet and his poetry, he explores the joy, pain, and transformative power of love.
Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
— The Prophet (1923)
If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they don’t, they never were.
— Attributed to Gibran; appears in letters and essays.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
— The Prophet (1923)
Gibran’s love quotes remind us love is freeing, not possessive—a partnership that honors independence and connection.
Quotes on Life & Living
Gibran saw life as a journey—rich with meaning, purpose, and growth.
Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life.
— The Prophet (1923)
To be able to look back upon one’s life in satisfaction is to live twice.
— The Prophet (1923)
These lines challenge us to shape our destinies with our outlooks and choices.
Quotes on Self & Soul
Self-discovery and soul-searching are central to Gibran’s message.
You are far greater than you know and all is well.
— The Prophet (1923)
The most pitiful among men is he who turns his dreams into silver and gold.
— The Prophet (1923)
His wisdom urges us to look within for value and purpose, beyond material success.
Quotes on Pain, Joy & Growth
For Gibran, life’s hardships are inseparable from its joys.
Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.
— Sand and Foam (1926)
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
— The Prophet (1923)
He offers hope: growth and wisdom arise from experiencing both pain and happiness.
Quotes on Friendship & Relationships
Gibran’s view of friendship is both profound and practical.
Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.
— The Prophet (1923)
Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
— The Prophet (1923)
True friends, he teaches, elevate us.
Quotes on Wisdom & Knowledge
Gibran valued learning, but always balanced it with humility and heart.
A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.
— The Prophet (1923)
Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too self-fulfilling to seek other than itself.
— Sand and Foam (1926)
The Enduring Power of Gibran’s Words
Khalil Gibran’s words continue to inspire, comfort, and awaken readers worldwide. Whether you seek solace, motivation, or a guide to living and loving more deeply, Gibran’s timeless insights offer something for every soul.
