I am at this moment reading an easy book called "The Prophet", by Kahlil Gibran. I don't know if this has been discussed before because i don't do that search business but here is an exerpt of the book, from the protaganist, who is the prophet and what he says about giving:

"..For in truth it is life that gives unto life--while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.

And you receivers--and you are all receivers--assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts on wings;
For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father."


This is an interesting book with a bunch of simple truths but i just noticed the similarites to the song and and the book and it makes a lot of sense, eh?

ice

Very well could be an inspiration, Ghost. Bowie has been know to "laugh insane and quip Kahlil Gibran."

zigbot

Damn - I bought that one about two years ago, mainly because I wanted to find out who this Kahlil Gibran-Guy from the song is. For some odd reason I was always thinking that he was one Bowie's characters until one day I saw "The Prophet" in the shelves of an university book shop and immediately bought it. Actually I never found the time to read it but now you made me curious ...

And the world receives yet another crack.The mystery condenses ...