I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires.
Khalil GibranRead
Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopher is a juggler, and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking. Pity the nation that welcomes its new ruler with trumpetings, and farewells him with hootings, only to welcome another ruler with trumpetings again. Pity the nation whose sages are dumb with years and whose strong men are yet in the cradle. Pity the nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the ills of a society led by insincere or unqualified leaders and the fragmentation within it.
Khalil Gibran's quote presents a poignant critique of a nation lacking genuine leadership, wisdom, and unity. It portrays a society in decline, where its leaders are more concerned with superficial appearances than the true essence of governance. Gibran mourns for a country that celebrates momentary triumphs while suffering from deep divisions and a lack of insightful guidance, ultimately calling for self-reflection among its citizens.
Themes
NationLeadershipSocietyFragmentationWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a political discussion about leadership and its impact on society.
More from Khalil Gibran
All quotes βBe patient, for it is from doubt that knowledge is born.
Khalil GibranRead
Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.
Khalil GibranRead
God made Truth with many doors to welcome every believer who knocks on them.
Khalil GibranRead
Happiness is a vine that takes root and grows within the heart, never outside it.
Khalil GibranRead
Solitude has soft, silky hands, but with strong fingers it grasps the heart and makes it ache with sorrow.
Khalil GibranRead
Similar quotes
It seems to me that I have always existed and that I possess memories that date back to the Pharaohs.
Gustave FlaubertRead
You can tell alot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans.
Ronald ReaganRead
Every four years, the eyes of America become riveted on the national election returns. But God's first concern during any political season is not the same as our first concern - it is not about what is happening, or going to happen, in the White House. God's first concern is what is happening, or not happening, in His house.
Tony EvansRead
Across planes of consciousness, we have to live with the paradox that opposite things can be simultaneously true.
Ram DassRead
Let your mind wander in simplicity, blend your spirit with the vastness, follow along with things the way they are, and make no room for personal views-then the world will be governed.
ZhuangziRead
Truth is not something you can appropriate easily and quickly. You certainly cannot sleep or dream yourself to the truth. No, you must be tried, do battle, and suffer if you are to acquire the truth for yourself. It is a sheer illusion to think that in relation to the truth there is an abridgement, a short cut that dispenses with the necessity for struggling for it.
Soren KierkegaardRead