"The Prophet" Khalil Gibran | On Marriage

This is an audio extract of the book "The Prophet," the chapter "On Marriage." Beautiful answered given by prophet on the moments of marriage. Freedom. In the answers of the prophet, no possession, and ownership of each other.

Transcript

On marriage.

Then Almitra spoke again and said,

And what of marriage,

Master?

And he answered,

Saying,

You were born together,

And together you shall be forevermore.

You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

And you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

And let the wings of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another,

But make not a bond of love.

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup,

But drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread,

But eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous,

But let each one of you be alone.

Even as the strings of a lute are alone,

Though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts,

But not into each other's keeping,

For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.

And stand together,

Yet not too near together,

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow,

Not in each other's shadow.

On marriage,

Then Almitra spoke again and said,

And what of marriage,

Master?

And he answered,

Saying,

You were born together,

And together you shall be forevermore.

You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

You shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

And let the wings of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another,

But make not a bond of love.

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup,

But drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread,

But not from the same love.

Sing and dance together,

And be joyous,

But let each one of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone,

Though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts,

But not into each other's keeping,

For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.

And stand together,

Yet not too near together,

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow,

Not in each other's shadow.