My Soul gave me good counsel, teaching me that the lamp which I carry does not belong to me, and the song that I sing was not generated from within me. Even if I walk with light, I am not the light; and if I am a taut-stringed lute, I am not the lute player.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Gibran suggests that human talents and creations are borrowed or temporary, not owned by the individual.
- In plain terms
- You do not own your gifts or creations; they pass through you.
- What can you take from it?
- View your talents as gifts, not possessions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where do you feel your ideas come from?
- What would change if you owned nothing?
Another view
One could argue that effort and ownership are necessary for accountability and motivation.
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