أدب الحياة by Kamal Jumblatt

By Randy Alghawi

The short:

The prominent Lebanese Political figure and previous Druze leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Kamal Jumblatt wrote a book that models political and social etiquette.

The Long:

The Propriety of Life targets different aspects of life and how a person should act in each scenario. Kamal Jumblatt wanted to reach the Lebanese community and guide them towards of path of enlightenment. Jumblatt was a spiritually inclined figure that lead his community by example and would write books that can reach out to people on a philosophical level. One of the biggest emphases of the book is explaining the social etiquette of daily engagements that people take for granted. For example, Jumblatt spends a good portion of his book talking about eating and how engaging the matter in a proper way can improve the quality of life and the individual’s demeanor altogether.

To read or not to read?

This book is a definite read, the late Kamal Jumblatt put forth many advanced philosophies in his book that are lost in contemporary times. The book is specifically revered among the Druze, yet many people in the Druze community fail to properly follow Jumblatt’s message in the book. However, the book teaches a valuable lesson to anyone who reads it and definitely is an interesting read.