“…Work is love made visible.
And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.
For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man’s hunger.
And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine.
And if you sing though as angels, and love not the singing, you muffle man’s ears to the voices of the day and the voices of the night.”
– Kahlil Gibran, (1883-1931) from The Prophet – “On Work”
Sources: Bakery Image – The Girl on the Moon; Quote – katsandogz
Related articles
- Of work done with love (nonworld.wordpress.com)
Thanks for sharing. I love Gibran. Not because he’s a “peep”, but because he touches me deeply – heart and mind.
Thanks Michael. I read, re-read and read again his words. Later I find they are still with me.
I, too, love Gibran for his gentle wisdom. And I love the way this passage underscores the power of intention. Thx for this share, David….
Thanks Lori.
Wonderful reminder to bring my love to work today. (What a lovely photo…wish I could ride down to that beautiful bakery for a morning loaf of bread! YUM!) Thanks, David
Me too. I am drawn to bakeries. The entire experience. The smell. Fresh Bread. Butter. I’m drooling just thinking about it. Thanks Vicki
I first read Gibran as a teenager, his words always encourage and inspire me still unto this day.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
I have just recently been introduced to Gibran. I’m making for lost ground. Yes, his words are inspiring.
Powerful. This is a wonderful message to incorporate into my customer service workshops. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Lori…
Work is love made visible—so much power in those 5 words.
Yes, there certainly is…
“Work done in the spirit of service is prayer.” Baha’i writings.
Yes, strong Frank.
[…] For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake bitter bread – Lead.Learn.Live.. […]
I love this Gibran quote, David. Perfect for me this morning. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, Frank Winters, I agree.
Thank you Makere. It moved me too…
I love this David…thanks. 🙂
Thanks Carol.
What a good reminder to always choose optimism, not pessimism. Thanks, Dave.
Yes, Peggy. Agree…
Great parable
Yes, it is Rick.
A challenge no doubt, yet also undoubtedly true.
Yes, yes it certainly is Mimi.
Beautiful quote David . I will always think of this quote when I bake bread . Love the photo
Thanks Olga. I’m glad I don’t know how to bake bread. I’d be as big as a house.
Reblogged this on Wholeheartedness and commented:
Sorry for double dipping, David! Love your blog…
Thanks for sharing Todd. Double, Triple Scoop. Whatever your pleasure. Gratitude is all mine.
Reblogged this on Bertha's Blog.
Thanks for sharing Bertha
So love this. Can’t you just smell that bakery?
Yes!
Thanks for leading me to the words of this poet–about to check out more of his work. Do you have any recommendation of texts to start with?
Thank you. I would start with The Prophet: http://www.amazon.com/Prophet-Kahlil-Gibran/dp/1614270627/ref=la_B000AQ79G2_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364430042&sr=1-1
Beautiful and very deep indeed. I love Khalil Gibran’s writings. They make you still and give you a reason to think.
Yes, Sonia. Nice way to frame it. I too find myself slowing down, becoming quiet and still and digesting his words.
I need to seriously read The Prophet. I bought the book and haven’t picked it up. This is pushing me to read it. So much wisdom in that short excerpt. I know I can learn so much.
Jolyn, a friend of mine from work gave me The Prophet. It is to be sipped and not gulped. But, it is certainly an important work.
This stuck with me as well.
And, it’s still riding along with me…
[…] For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake bitter bread (davidkanigan.com) […]
Reblogged this on Ray's Atlas of the New.