I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires.
Khalil GibranRead
Each day look into your conscience and amend your faults; if you fail in this duty you will be untrue to the Knowledge and Reason that are within you. Keep a watchful eye over yourself as if you were your own enemy; for you cannot learn to govern yourself, unless you first learn to govern your own passions and obey the dictates of your conscience.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-governance in personal development.
Khalil Gibran's quote reminds us that in order to grow and improve ourselves, we must regularly examine our actions and thoughts against our conscience. By being vigilant and critical of our own behaviors and motivations—almost as if we were an adversary to our own shortcomings—we lay the foundation for mastering our desires and aligning our actions with our moral compass, ultimately fostering true knowledge and understanding within ourselves.
Themes
Self-ReflectionConsciousnessSelf-GovernanceKnowledgePassions
In practice
Example use cases
During a personal development workshop, one might use this quote to encourage participants to introspect.
More from Khalil Gibran
All quotes →Be patient, for it is from doubt that knowledge is born.
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Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.
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God made Truth with many doors to welcome every believer who knocks on them.
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Happiness is a vine that takes root and grows within the heart, never outside it.
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Solitude has soft, silky hands, but with strong fingers it grasps the heart and makes it ache with sorrow.
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