Child Quote by Khalil Gibran
““And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children. And he said: Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Prophet by Khalil Gibran, 1923
Children are extensions of life's yearning, not possessions; they belong to the future and have their own souls and thoughts.
In simple terms: Children belong to life, not to parents.
Key Takeaway
Respect their independence and nurture love.
Themes
parenthood
spirituality
individuality
legacy
Mood
reflective
hopeful
serene
Type
philosophical
inspirational
spiritual
When to use this quote
- raising children
- teaching
- family dynamics
- personal growth
Key Concepts
existentialism
intergenerational love
selflessness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you support a child's autonomy?
- What does it mean to love without imposing your thoughts?
A Different Perspective
Parents cannot control children's inner lives or destinies.
