The Two Learned Men – Poem by Kahlil Gibran: A Parable of Knowledge, Humility, and True Wisdom
Through the meeting of two scholars—each believing himself wise—Gibran questions the very nature of learning. What is the value of knowledge if it does not teach us humility?
Full Text of The Two Learned Men by Kahlil Gibran
Once there were two learned men who met in the street.
One said to the other, “Good morning to you, sir.”
The other replied, “Good morning, O great master.”
Then they walked together and conversed, saying much of the high things of life and of the heavens.
When they parted, each went his way thinking himself the wiser of the two.
Summary of the Poem
This short prose poem tells of two scholars who meet, greet one another with flattery, and then discuss lofty ideas about philosophy, heaven, and the soul. Yet beneath their politeness lies pride—each considers himself superior. When they part, both believe they have outshone the other, proving Gibran’s message: learning without humility breeds ignorance.
The story captures how intellectual vanity can disguise itself as courtesy and how true wisdom lies in silence, not in self-satisfaction.
Themes and Meanings
1. Pride and False Wisdom
The scholars’ exchange shows how pride corrupts knowledge. Though both claim to discuss truth and virtue, their main goal is self-display. Gibran warns that the ego easily hides behind the mask of intellect.
2. The Illusion of Superiority
Both men leave thinking they are wiser, exposing how easily people mistake cleverness for insight. Gibran suggests that the more one boasts of knowledge, the less one truly knows.
3. The Simplicity of True Wisdom
In contrast to the scholars’ arrogance, Gibran’s tone implies that wisdom is found not in debate but in quiet awareness. True learning makes one humble and aware of life’s vastness.
Symbolism and Allegory
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The Two Learned Men | Intellectual pride and the illusion of superiority. |
| The Street | The public space where vanity and reputation are displayed. |
| The Conversation | The futility of argument without understanding. |
| Their Parting | The self-deception that follows pride. |
Gibran’s Message
Kahlil Gibran’s central message is timeless: knowledge is not wisdom. Learning can fill the mind but empty the heart if it is not guided by humility and love.
Through irony, Gibran reminds readers that wisdom is a way of being, not a matter of titles or eloquence. The two men, though learned, remain spiritually blind because they cannot see beyond themselves.
Tone and Style
The tone is calm, ironic, and reflective. Gibran’s prose reads like a parable—simple in language but layered in meaning. His dialogue is brief, yet every line reveals a moral truth.
His style combines the grace of fable with the precision of philosophy, making the story both poetic and universal.
Lessons from The Two Learned Men
- Knowledge without humility is ignorance.
- True wisdom begins with silence and self-awareness.
- Pride disguises itself as intellect and virtue.
- Understanding cannot be claimed—it must be lived.
- The humblest hearts are often the wisest minds.
Relevance in Modern Times
In a world overflowing with opinions, credentials, and self-promotion, Gibran’s parable feels especially relevant. It reminds us to listen more than we speak, to seek meaning rather than mastery, and to approach every conversation as a learner, not a lecturer.
The poem’s insight applies not only to scholars but to anyone striving for truth in an age of noise: wisdom begins when the ego ends.
Conclusion
Kahlil Gibran’s The Two Learned Men is a quiet yet profound meditation on the difference between knowing and understanding. With gentle irony, he shows that even the most educated minds can remain imprisoned by pride.
True wisdom, he teaches, lies not in proving one’s brilliance but in recognizing one’s smallness before the infinite. The truly learned are those who, after all their study, still bow their heads and whisper, “I know nothing.”