Quotes from book
The Book of Mirdad

Mikha'il Na'ima

The Book of Mirdad is an allegorical book of philosophy by Lebanese author Mikha'il Na'ima. The book was first published in Lebanon in 1948 and was initially written in English, with Na'ima later translating it into Arabic. Na'ima initially sought to have the book published in London, where it was rejected for "[advancing] a religion with 'a new dogma'".In 1973 the book was adapted into a three-act play by Padukone Ramanand.

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“Whoever cannot find a temple in his heart, the same can never find his heart in any temple.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“If that be your guiding spirit in eating of the heart of the Earth, then little does it matter what you eat. But if that be, indeed, your guiding spirit, then should you have the wisdom and the love not to bereave the Earth of any of her children, especially those which have come to feel the pleasure of living and the pain of dying – those that have arrived at the segment of Duality. For they, too, have their road to wend, slowly and laboriously, towards Unity. And their road is longer than yours. Delay them in their march, and they shall delay you in your march.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“While the non-yearner grasps for more and yet more things to put away in his pocket or belly, the yearner walks his way without a pocket, and with a belly clean of any creature's blood and convulsions.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“Of two men sharing with a calf the milk of that calf's mother one eyes the calf with the thought that his tender flesh would provide good meat for him and his friends to feast upon at his approaching birthday. The other thinks of the calf as his brother of the teat and is filled with affection for the young beast and his mother. I say to you, the latter is truly nourished by that calf's meat; while the first is poisoned thereby. Aye, many things are put in the belly that should be put in the heart.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“So think as if your every thought were to be etched in fire upon the sky for all and everything to see. For so, in truth, it is.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“Love is the only freedom from attachment. When you love everything, you are attached to nothing.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“For the yearners know that the life of flesh is but the bridge to the fleshless Life. And the yearners know that the coarse and inadequate senses are but the peepholes into the world of the infinitely fine and adequate sense. And the yearners know that every flesh they tear they must inevitably repair, sooner or later, with their own flesh; and every bone they crush they must rebuild with their own bone; and every drop of blood they spill they must replenish with their own blood. For, that is the law of flesh.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“How much more infinite a sea is Man? Be not so childish as to measure him from head to foot and think that you have found his borders.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“Your breath upon the wind shall surely lodge within some breast. Ask not whose breast it is. See only that the breath itself be pure.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“Logic is immaturity weaving its nets of gossamer wherewith it aims to catch the behemoth of knowledge. When Logic comes of age it strangles itself in its nets and then becomes transmuted into Faith, which is the deeper knowledge. Logic is a crutch for the cripple; but a burden for the swift of foot; and a greater burden still for the winged.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“To feed on Death is to become food for Death. To live by others' pain is to become a prey for pain. So has decreed the Omniwill. Know that and choose your course, Micayon.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“Ask not of things to shed their veils. Unveil yourselves, and things will be unveiled.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“The more elaborate his labyrinths, the further from the Sun his face.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“Often you shall think your road impassable, sombre and companionless. Have will and plod along; and round each curve you shall find a new companion.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

Mikha'il Na'ima photo

“Love is the Law of God. You live that you may learn to love. You love that you may learn to live. No other lesson is required of Man.”

Mikha'il Na'ima book The Book of Mirdad

The Book of Mirdad (1948)

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