On Giving
by Kahlil Gibran (‫)ج بران خ ل يل ج بران‬
Reported by:
Perez, Andrei Vienne (BSMA 4B)
Pare, Ericka Lance (BS PSY 3A)
Submitted by: Pare, Ericka Lance L. (BS PSY 3A)
Vocabulary Enrichment
01. over-prudent – adjective; to be very careful / shrewd in one’s actions, sometimes to the point of
counterproductivity
e.g. : The over-prudent pupil stayed up late last night studying for a test, only to wake
up late and end up missing that class.
02. unquenchable – adjective; unable to satisfy or extinguish a thirst or desire for something
e.g. : Man’s longing for the meaning of life is unquenchable.
03. bounty – noun; a reward or incentive to be received
e.g. : The hero received a large bounty for successfully slaying the monster.
04. coffer – noun; a small safe, chest, or box meant for safekeeping valuables such as money
noun; see also “cofferings” – a series of sunken geometric panels used in architecture
e.g. : Everyone was shocked when they found that the coffer turned out to be empty.
The coffers found at the Colosseum in Rome are a magnificent sight to behold.
05. myrtle – noun; an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region used for decorative and
medicinal purposes
e.g. : The myrtle I keep in my bedroom has a strong fragrance.
06. orchard – noun; a piece of land planted with fruit trees
e.g. : His grandfather’s apple orchard reached as far as the eyes could see.
07. perish – verb; to die, rot, or decay
e.g. : During wartime, many soldiers often perish so quickly and senselessly.
08. rend – verb; to split, separate, or forcefully tear away from something
e.g. : Rend me not from the pleasures of this world.
09. bosom – noun; a part of the body that is the chest, usually referring to that of a woman’s
e.g. : My bosom swelled with pride upon hearing your countless achievements!
10. unabashed – adjective; shameless or fearless in nature
e.g. : She was an unabashed liar and a pathological thief.
Orchard
Coffer(s) / Cofferings
Coffer / Safe
Myrtle
Bosom
Over-prudent
Unabashed
Perish
Unquenchable
Rend
Bounty
Summary (2nd Half)
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It is better to anticipate and give voluntarily rather than wait for someone else to ask.
To the generous, there is greater joy in giving than receiving.
All that you have will eventually disappear and belong to another someday, so you should be
the first to give away before your inheritors and descendants.
Even if you believe that only the deserving should receive good things, your material
possessions continue to provide and bear fruit – and that you must take advantage of by using
them and giving them away rather than let them perish.
Anyone who deserves to live and enjoy nature’s bounty deserves your gifts as well.
You are not so powerful and supreme so that men would be judged by you.
Become first an instrument of charity and generosity, for we are only witnesses to giving.
Do not be too mindful or conscious of a debt, for it means to doubt the other’s generosity.
Theme(s)
Main:
When you give something, do it out of the goodness of your heart – make the most out of your
blessings and share them, for we are all worthy of receiving good things in life.
Minor:
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Giving is more pleasurable than receiving.
Make use of what is given to you by using them for good and for others, rather than keep them
to yourself and let them rot away.
We are all worthy of being gifted something amazing.
No one has the absolute right to judge or be judged by others.
Relevant Quotations
https://articles.bplans.com/13-quotes-joy-importance-giving/
“The wise man does not lay up his own treasures.
The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.”
— Lao Tzu
Other Contributions About The Author / Work
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Kahlil (‫ )خ ل يل‬may also be spelled as “Khalil” – Arabs usually do not mind small differences in
name spelling with the English alphabet, for as long as the Arabic characters are consistent.
Kahlil Gibran is the considered the third best-selling poet in the world, behind playwright William
Shakespeare and philosopher Lao Tzu; in fact, “The Prophet” has been translated in over 108
languages and has never been out of print since its first publication in 1923.
Though Kahlil Gibran was born a Maronite Catholic to a Lebanese family, his magnum opus
“The Prophet” was inspired by several teachings of Islam.
His best known work is “The Prophet”, a set of prose poetry fable which centers around the
teachings of a character known as “Al-Mustafa”. As of January 01, 2019, the book has entered
public domain in the countries of the USA, Canada, European Union, South Africa, and Australia.
“The Prophet” is written as prose poetry, rather than verse – this means that it is written with a
natural flow of speech but nonetheless retaining poetic qualities such as heightened imagery
and attention to language, figures of speech, fragmentation, repetition, and rhyme.
Sections Covered By The 2nd Half
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It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.
And is there aught you would withhold?
All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.
You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights, is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be, than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of
receiving?
And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and
their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
For in truth it is life that gives unto life while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.
And you receivers... and you are all receivers... assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and
upon him who gives.
Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;
For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the freehearted earth for mother, and God for
father.