I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires.
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that our sorrow often stems from the loss of something that brought us joy.
Khalil Gibran's quote reflects the intricate relationship between joy and sorrow. It reminds us that our deepest sadness often arises from the love and happiness we have experienced. When we grieve, it is not just for what we have lost but for the cherished moments and delights that once filled our hearts. By encouraging us to look deep within ourselves during times of sorrow, Gibran invites us to acknowledge the duality of our emotions—sorrow is intertwined with joy, and recognizing this connection can help us heal.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a eulogy, to reflect on the joy the deceased brought to our lives.
More from Khalil Gibran
All quotes →Be patient, for it is from doubt that knowledge is born.
Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.
God made Truth with many doors to welcome every believer who knocks on them.
Happiness is a vine that takes root and grows within the heart, never outside it.
Solitude has soft, silky hands, but with strong fingers it grasps the heart and makes it ache with sorrow.
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