Khalil Gibran

"Yesterday we obeyed kings and bent our necks before emperors. But today we kneel only before the truth."

Khalil Gibran (born Gubran Khalil Gubran; Arabic جبران خليل جبران, January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931) also known as Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese American artist, poet, and writer. Born in the town of Bsharri in modern-day Lebanon (then part of the Ottoman Mount Lebanon mutasarrifate), as a young man he emigrated with his family to the United States where he studied art and began his literary career. He is chiefly known in the English speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose. The book sold well despite a cool critical reception, and became extremely popular in the 1960s counterculture. Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.

This author's works provide examples of:

 * Anguished Declaration of Love
 * Arranged Marriage: Usually due to debts.
 * Contemplate Our Navels: A staple of Khalil Gibran's works.
 * Corrupt Church
 * Downer Ending
 * Getting Smilies Painted On Your Soul: Discussed. What will make a person happy? Does happiness come from God? From love? Or from something else?
 * God: Generally portrayed as positive, or at least benign. His human servants, on the other hand...
 * The Philosopher: Some of his characters.
 * Also Deconstructed. In one story, a character comments how an acquaintance of his would rather rant in a wedding party, while everybody else dance to the music.