"You are good when you are fully awake in your speech, Yet you are not evil when you sleep while your tongue staggers without purpose. And even stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue.
You are good when you walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps. Yet you are not evil when you go thither limping. Even those who limp go not backward. But you who are strong and swift, see that you do not limp before the lame, deeming it kindness.
You are good in countless ways, and you are not evil when you are not good, You are only loitering and sluggard. Pity that the stags cannot teach swiftness to the turtles.
In your longing for your giant self lies your goodness: and that longing is in all of you. But in some of you that longing is a torrent rushing with might to the sea, carrying the secrets of the hillsides and the songs of the forest. And in others it is a flat stream that loses itself in angles and bends and lingers before it reaches the shore. But let not him who longs much say to him who longs little, "Wherefore are you slow and halting?" For the truly good ask not the naked, "Where is your garment?" nor the houseless, "What has befallen your house?""
6 comments:
I love what you have written here, very moving and wonderful. Did all of you write this or just one of you.
Im asking because I would like to place it in my Journal with all credit going to the writer.
Again it's wonderful.
John G.
Hi again, I just saw Kahlil Gibran and where it came from, but may I use it?
Thanks,
John G.
Hey John G.! Nice to see you back! Gibran is my very favorite poet. Surely you could use him as much as you would like! Several people have published the wonderful tiny book, "The Prophet" on their web sites. A fair link is by Columbia This particular stanza is, "On Good and Evil."
http://www.columbia.edu/~gm84/gibran.html
Please use him as much as you would like. I think everyone should listen to him!
Btw ... my name is Lissa. Thank you for all your journaling kindn
As I read more and more of your journal, I am truly amazed, and enlightened
by the beauty of your words, thoughts and feelings. You are very inspiring, and I am touched.
Your journal is so geniune and inspiring. I am so happy you found me, and left the first ever comment when my own journal was brand new. Such a blessing,
Take care!
Erin
Dear Penny,
We've been to your journal several times and have enjoyed your thoughtful commentaries on life. I think Gibran's poetry is far spread. Often times we are very critical of ourselves and as a leftover from childhood, we discover feelings in ourselves of "being bad" or "evil." Or, simply we feel discouragement because we're not good enough or doing enough. But this would all be thinking not based in reality? We're actually always good people. Your good people too!
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