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 →Be 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
You are always in the process of creating. Every moment, every minute, every day. You are a big creation machine and you are turning out a new manifestation literally as fast as you can think.
Neale Donald WalschRead
There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.
Nelson MandelaRead
You won't discover the limits of the soul, however far you go.
HeraclitusRead
The church is like a swimming pool. Most of the noise comes from the shallow end.
John Shelby SpongRead
I used to tell women graduate students, half-seriously, that the role of slightly rebellious daughter was one of the better roles for women living in patriarchy.
Carol GilliganRead
I'm open to everything. When you start to criticize the times you live in, your time is over.
Karl LagerfeldRead