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Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your…

“Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against your passion and your appetite. Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody. But how shall I, unless you…” quote by Kahlil Gibran
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““Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against your passion and your appetite. Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody. But how shall I, unless you yourselves be also the peacemakers, nay, the lovers of all your elements? Your reason and your passion are the rudder and the sails of your seafaring soul. If either your sails or your rudder be broken, you can but toss and drift, or else be held at a standstill in mid-seas. For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining; and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction. Therefore let your soul exalt your reason to the height of passion, that it may sing; And let it direct your passion with reason, that your passion may live through its own daily resurrection, and like the phoenix rise above its own ashes. I would have you consider your judgment and your appetite even as you would two loved guests in your house. Surely you would not honour one guest above the other; for he who is more mindful of one loses the love and the faith of both. Among the hills, when you sit in the cool shade of the white poplars, sharing the peace and serenity of distant fields and meadows -- then let your heart say in silence, "God rests in reason." And when the storm comes, and the mighty wind shakes the forest, and thunder and lightning proclaim the majesty of the sky -- then let your heart say in awe, "God moves in passion." And since you are a breath in God's sphere, and a leaf in God's forest, you too should rest in reason and move in passion.””

Kahlil Gibran

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage describes the inner struggle between reason and passion, urging balance to achieve harmony and creative vitality.

In simple terms: Balance mind and heart for harmony.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate both logic and feeling.

Themes

balance inner conflict spirituality

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

  • personal decision‑making
  • creative work
  • conflict resolution
  • spiritual practice

Key Concepts

reason passion harmony self‑mastery

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does balance look like in your life?
  • How can you honor both reason and passion?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on balance may ignore necessary tension for growth.

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