"A small pebble thrown in the lake, and the silver of the moon will be spread in ripples all over, and the moon disappears.

"So is the case, unfortunately, with Kahlil Gibran. When he describes the moon he is really describing the reflection of the moon. The reflection is almost exactly like the moon, and sometimes even more beautiful. The lake also enhances the beauty; the silence surrounding the lake also makes the dream richer. But howsoever rich a dream may be, it is still a dream.

"Again I can make the distinction between the poet and the mystic: the poet at the most sees the reflection; the mystic sees the moon. So they are very close, and sometimes the poet comes to describe the moon so realistically that almost anyone can be deceived. Moreover, the poet has an articulateness which is not necessary for a mystic, so you can be deceived. The mystic may look ordinary in his expression, and the poet is able to decorate his dreams according to his own articulateness.

"I feel sad and sorry for Kahlil Gibran, that he remained satisfied with the reflection in the lake. He never thought about what the reflection was of. He was a great dreamer, and his dreams brought magic to his words. Again and again you will see him coming very close to the truth, but he goes on missing the point.

Then one of the judges of the city stood forth and said, Speak to us of Crime and Punishment.
And he answered, saying:
It is when your spirit goes wandering upon the wind that you, alone and unguarded, commit a wrong unto others and therefore unto yourself.

"This can never be said by a man who is awakened, who has seen the real moon. In fact, he will say just the contrary.

"Let me repeat Kahlil Gibran and show you how he goes on, being a Gautam Buddha, missing again and again. I don't feel sad and sorry for everybody, but Kahlil Gibran has the potential, and is unaware of it. He says:

It is when your spirit goes wandering upon the wind that you, alone and unguarded, commit a wrong unto others and therefore unto yourself.

"