Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)

Gibran Khalil Gibran, usually referred to in English as Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist; he was also considered a philosopher, although he himself rejected the title. He is best known as the author of The Prophet, which was first published in the United States in 1923 and has since become one of the best-selling books of all time, having been translated into more than 100 languages.

Quotes

It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding.
And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the final hour of separation.
Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.
In the sweetness of friendship; let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
Every man loves two women;the one is the creation of his imagination and the other is not yet born.
The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose.
The deeper sorrow carves into your being the more joy you can contain.
He who does not seek advice is a fool. His folly blinds him to Truth and makes him evil, stubborn, and a danger to his fellow men.
Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge.

Knowledge
I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.

Kindness, Tolerance
Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.

Giving, Pride
If indeed you must be candid, be candid beautifully.
If you reveal your secrets to the wind you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees.

Secrets
Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.'

Truth
It is well to give when asked but it is better to give unasked, through understanding.

Understanding
In battling evil, excess is good; for he who is moderate in announcing the truth is presenting half-truth. He conceals the other half out of fear of the people's wrath.
And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.
To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to do.
The significance of a man is not in what he attains, but rather what he longs to attain.
If you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work.