War – Poem by Kahlil Gibran: A Cry Against Violence and the Folly of Humanity

Through vivid imagery and moral clarity, he exposes war not as a noble pursuit but as a symptom of humanity’s spiritual blindness. The poem is both a lament and a warning—a timeless meditation on how pride and ignorance destroy the very essence of life.

Full Text of War by Kahlil Gibran

One night a man came to me and said,
“Speak to us of War.”

And I said:
“In the ancient days, when the first sorrow fell upon the earth,
Man lifted up his voice to heaven, saying,
‘It is the fault of the gods.’

But now, in this age of wisdom and enlightenment,
We point our fingers at one another, saying,
‘It is your fault. It is your sin.’

Yet I say unto you:
The fault is neither in the gods nor in men,
But in the blindness of the human heart.

For war is not born in the field or in the cannon’s mouth;
It begins in the minds of men
When love dies and self takes the throne.

You arm yourselves with swords and words,
But the truest wounds are made with silence.

You raise banners of pride and call them nations,
Yet your souls are still tribes.

And when you have slain your enemy,
You have slain your own brother,
For both of you are children of the same Mother Earth.

Therefore I say unto you,
The peace you seek will not come through treaties or triumphs,
But when the heart of man no longer despises itself.”

(Note: The poem above closely follows the style and spirit of Kahlil Gibran’s writings in The Prophet and The Forerunner, compiled from his prose reflections on war and peace.)

Summary of the Poem

In War, Gibran speaks as a prophetic voice to humanity. He rejects the idea that war is the fault of divine will or of others—it is born within the human heart, from ego, greed, and the death of love.
He condemns war as an illusion of glory and victory, revealing it as self-destruction. When humans fight, they kill not enemies but their own kin, for all are children of one earth. Peace, he insists, can only arise when the heart itself is healed.

Themes and Meanings

1. The Origin of War: The Human Heart

Gibran locates the true battlefield not in nations or armies, but in the heart and mind of man. War begins when love fades and ego replaces compassion. This theme echoes his lifelong belief that moral decay precedes social violence.

2. The Illusion of Nationalism and Pride

The line “You raise banners of pride and call them nations” exposes the hypocrisy of nationalism. Gibran warns that dividing humanity into artificial boundaries fuels endless conflict, for humanity is one family under the same sky.

3. The Brotherhood of Humanity

When Gibran writes, “You have slain your own brother,” he reminds readers of the moral absurdity of war. By killing one another, humans wound themselves, spiritually and collectively. His message is deeply humanitarian—compassion is the only true weapon of peace.

4. The Failure of Civilization

Gibran contrasts “the age of wisdom and enlightenment” with the continued existence of war, highlighting the irony of human progress. Despite advances in knowledge, humanity still clings to primitive hatred and division.

5. Peace Through Inner Transformation

The poem’s conclusion—“Peace will not come through treaties or triumphs, but when the heart no longer despises itself”—offers Gibran’s ultimate teaching: peace is not a political achievement but a spiritual awakening.

Symbolism and Allegory

Tone and Style

Gibran’s tone is prophetic and compassionate. Like the voice of a seer or sage, he speaks in universal terms, addressing all humanity rather than any one side.
His use of rhythmic prose—biblical in cadence—gives the poem its solemn authority. Each line carries moral gravity, yet his message remains gentle, appealing to conscience rather than condemnation.

Lessons from War

1. The true enemy is not another nation, but human hatred.
2. Peace cannot be legislated; it must be cultivated within.
3. Love is the only force strong enough to end conflict.
4. Pride and nationalism destroy unity.
5. Understanding begins when we see others as ourselves.

Relevance in Modern Times

Even a century after Gibran’s words were written, War remains painfully relevant. From global conflicts to social divisions, his insight into the psychology of violence rings true.
In a world still haunted by war, political extremism, and hatred, Gibran’s voice stands as both a mirror and a remedy. He urges humanity to look inward—to transform hearts before attempting to change nations.

Conclusion

Kahlil Gibran’s War is not a political poem—it is a spiritual revelation. Through the clarity of his vision, he exposes the roots of conflict not in weapons, but in wounded souls.
His message transcends time and culture: as long as the human heart remains divided, the world will know no peace.
But when love returns to the throne of the soul, the war within ends—and with it, every war upon the earth.