Kahlil Gibran

Of the good in you I can speak, but not of the evil.For what is evil but good tortured by it__ own hunger and thirst?Verily when good is hungry it seeks food even in dark caves, and when it thirsts it drinks even of dead waters.

you are good when you strive to give of yourself.

Je tiefer sich das Leid in euer Sein eingräbt, desto mehr Freude könnt ihr fassen.

And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. 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 are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

I cannot tarry longer.The sea that calls all things unto her calls me

Death changes nothing but the masks that cover our faces.

Self is a sea boundless and measureless.

And a man said, speak to us of self-knowledge.and he answered, saying:Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights.But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge.You would know in words that which you have always known in thought.You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams.And it is well that you should.The hidden well-spring of your soul must needs rise and run murmuring to the sea;and the treasure of your infinite depths would be revealed to your eyes.But let there be no scales to weigh your unknown treasure;And seek not the depths of your knowledge with staff or sounding line.For self is a sea boundless and measureless.

My loneliness was born when men praised my talkative faults and blamed my silent virtues.

Not without a wound in the spirit shall I leave this city.

It is not a garment I cast off this day, but a skin that I tear with my own hands.Nor is it a thought I leave behind me, but a heart made sweet with hunger and with thirst.

Ready am I to go, and my eagerness with sails full set awaits the wind.Only another breath will I breathe in this still air, only another loving look cast backward,

Verily the kindness that gazes upon itself in a mirror turns to stone,And a good deed that calls itself by tender names becomes the parent to a curse

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.

To belittle, you have to be little.

Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.

The house that does not comfort the needy is worthy of naught but destruction.