Duhovne izreke

Spiritual Sayings is the title under which the Serbian edition of the collections of short aphorisms and poetic wisdom by Khalil Gibran (1883–1931), a Lebanese-American poet, philosopher, and artist, has been published. It is a compilation from the works Sand and Foam (Pijesak i pjena, 1926) and The Forerunner (1920), where Gibran writes short, parabolic sayings full of spiritual depth.

Gibran explores themes such as the transience of life ("I am forever walking between sand and foam..."), love (as freedom and attachment), soul and body, death as a transition, religion beyond dogma, solitude, happiness, and truth. Many of the sayings have a mystical, Sufi overtone, inspired by Lebanese Christian and Eastern traditions, but they are universal and without religious narrow-mindedness.

Examples of typical sayings: "Beauty is not in the face; beauty is the light in the heart." or "If you love someone, let them go..." (similar to the famous quotes from The Prophet). The style is lyrical, poetic, short and profound – each saying can be read as a meditation or inspiration for the day.

In Yugoslavia in the 1980s it was popular in paperback editions, part of Gibran's oeuvre (along with The Prophet, Broken Wings, The Messenger) which influenced generations seeking spirituality outside institutions. The book is small but powerful – it encourages reflection on the meaning of life, without pathos, but with quiet wisdom.