When the heart hurts, sometimes the only medicine is poetry. For introspective introverts like me, this is doubly true.
We introverts often struggle to find the right words in real life, yet we grasp our voice in the written word.
Lebanese-American writer and poet Kahlil Gibran wrote of struggles and insights many introverts will relate to.
So, if you’re feeling a sense of loneliness and longing, I’ve put together my favourite Kahlil Gibran quotes on love, solitude, and pain.
Let me know which one speaks to you most in the comments. ?
For introverts whose sweet solitude has soured into bitter loneliness:
“Solitude has soft, silky hands, but with strong fingers it grasps the heart and makes it ache with sorrow.” ― Kahlil Gibran, The Broken Wings
“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things, does the heart find its morning and is refreshed.” ― Khalil Gibran, The Prophet
For introverts who overthink and can’t let go:
“Forgetfulness is a form of freedom.” ― Kahlil Gibran
“And God said “Love Your Enemy,” and I obeyed him and loved myself.” ― Kahlil Gibran, The Broken Wings
For introverts who are afraid to love again:
“Darkness may hide the trees and the flowers from the eyes but it cannot hide love from the soul.” ― Khalil Gibran, Love Letters in the Sand: The Love Poems of Khalil Gibran
“It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone… but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.” ― Kahlil Gibran
“And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.” ― Khalil Gibran, The Prophet
For introverts who care too much what others think:
“Travel and tell no one, live a true love story and tell no one, live happily and tell no one, people ruin beautiful things.”― Kahlil Gibran
For introverts who would rather be alone than endure mindless chatter:
“I wash my hands of those who imagine chattering to be knowledge, silence to be ignorance, and affection to be art.” ― Kahlil Gibran
“And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered. For thought is a bird of space, that in a cage of words may indeed unfold its wings but cannot fly.” ― Khalil Gibran, The Prophet
For introverts who feel guilty for asking for space:
“Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds 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… 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.” ― Khalil Gibran, The Prophet
I hope you enjoyed these quotes. If you’re wondering how to deal with loneliness as an introvert, I share 7 steps to leave loneliness behind and make real friends in my free Introvert Connection Guide.
Over to you
Which quote did you like best? Feel free to share your favorites in the comments. 🙂
Love,
I truly enjoyed all of the quotes. They were clearly selected by an introvert and that kindred spirit in the editing cane through. Thank you.
Aww thanks, Kristen. Yes, I took great care in selecting them. So glad you enjoyed them. <3
Beautiful wise words Michaela. Thank you so much
My favorite is Travel and Tell No One…. Every time I travel or vacation alone, my parents have words of warning and reminding me of the grave danger I might be in. This has been going on for 20 years. It’s depressing, and now I tell no one. I’m so much happier!
Each phrase brought promise and peace. Thank you for these reminders. #notalone
I’m so happy to hear that Trudi! <3
“It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone… but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.” ― Kahlil Gibran
This quote resonates with me the most. It’s probably why I find it challenging to move on, and therefore am stuck in my view of relationships.
Yes, it’s such a powerful quote, and so true for us introverts who have a hard time letting go.
I loved reading these 🙂
They resonated so much! Especially the ones on love.
So happy to hear that Jess! <3
thank you!
You’re welcome, Adrienne. 🙂
Great quotes from Khalil, and Big thanks to you Michaela for sharing..
Your incessant search to find golden nuggets for your community is highly appreciated?
It’s nice to be appreciated! Thanks Hamid. 🙂
It was as if you knew that I was feeling lonely. Thank you so much for these gems.?
“And God said “Love Your Enemy,” and I obeyed him and loved myself.” ― Kahlil Gibran, The Broken Wings
YES!!!!!
This hits incredibly close to home and really makes me stop to think. Thanks for sharing this!
Michaela – i dont comment on your postings, but this post was both thoughtful and comforting. thank you!
Loved them all but the one about sweetness of friendship and the one about love (it takes a moment…) spoke to my heart today. Thank you for sharing!
My fav is the one about feeling guilty for asking for space. Some people don’t understand loving one’s solitude. When I need my space, they try to cling tighter. That, of course, makes the relationship worse. I think I’d die if I couldn’t “breathe alone” from time to time. If not die, go crazy. 🙂 Thank you for this, Michaela!
All of them of them are good. I think I like “I wash my hands of those who imagine chattering to be knowledge, silence to be ignorance, and affection to be art.” the best. Thank you for sharing these, Michaela!
I have loved Gibran since 1965, 17 years old, long before I realized I was an introvert and what that meant. I have all his books, the Profit is my bible.
“It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone… but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.”
It happened just like that. Day one. Moment one. I know he is now happily married and a great dad, and I am very happy for him, but I know I will never forget him.
Love never vanishes.
To forget is also a type of freedom. A freedom of mind.
Love is never forgotten and your soul knows.
“Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds 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… 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.”
This so eloquently captures the essence of free and unconditional love. A place where one loves you so much that they can let you be you. You celebrate the individuality of one another together in the unity of your love. So incredibly powerful to me. I once heard it beautifully explained that the love between two people is the creation of a third being. It is the fruit of what each give to the other.
Some were okay and some I didn’t quite understand. We all have to find what works best for us – myself I find much more refreshment and encouragement in Biblical verses (Bible = Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) 🙂 and here’s a bonus by Elisabeth Elliot – “You are loved with an everlasting love, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (speaking about Almighty God our Creator).
LOVE these!!! I beautifully profound and true, and just what I needed. Thank you. ❤️
These were great quotes Michaela! However, they just don’t inspire me like you do!! 🙂
I think you’ve earned another gold star. 😉
Thanks for sharing these marvelous words through which wisdom resonates like a wolf’s howl through and up your spine when heard in the forest. #3 – The unexpected virtue of ignorance, #10 There’s something primordial that connects us on the most fundamental level before any form of communication. #11 The plasticity of love can indeed only be found in the “nothingness” between us. I really enjoyed all of them. But if I’m sincere the one that really hit me like a bullet in the back of my head and actually brought tears in my eyes is #4. Perhaps the most powerful set of words I’ve come across in a long while, maybe ever. Those what label it as romanticism simply know better. Darling, thanks for reminding us how beautiful these complex and often misunderstood lives of ours really are. Much love.
Thank you. I love my space. the people I end up loving are those who give me space, not grow in my shadow.
Thank you for these quotes! And all your emails. So much appreciated. Xx
These quotes are the perfect birthday present. Thank you!
I love the second quote where the Lord said to love your enemy so Kahlil stated that he will love himself since it is a fact that we are our own worst enemy.
I love the other quote about not telling anyone about your travels considering the fact that bad people don’t want to hear them and/or ruin them
i love khalil gibran, i write too and in sone manners i think i share a similar type of energy with him.
i love this quotes but seeing michaela photo at the end is a gift to my heart. i love you Michaela
The one that resonated with me the most is, “Forgetfulness is a form of freedom”. I am so forgetful and I believe does have merit–as long as you don’t punish yourself for being forgetful. I DO wish I remembered more–especially happy memories. Sadly, we cannot cherry pick our memories. I believe forgetfulness is a coping mechanism. For me forgetting began at a very young age–IF I am remembering correctly… sigh.
That’s a good one, indeed!