Dante Alighieri Quotes - Page 8

The only fit reply to a fit request is silence and the fact.

So may heaven's grace clear away the foam from the conscience, that the river of thy thoughts may roll limpid thenceforth.

Thus you may understand that love alone is the true seed of every merit in you, and of all acts for which you must atone.

Many have justice in their hearts, but slowly it is let fly, for it comes not without council to the bow.

The loser, when a game of dice is done, remains behind reviewing every roll sadly, and sadly wiser, and alone.

You shall find out how salt is the taste of another man's bread, and how hard is the way up and down another man's stairs.

Not one drop of blood is left inside my veins that does not throb: I recognize signs of the ancient flame.

Abandon hope, all ye who enter here. [Omnes relinquite spes, o vos intrantes]

The glory of Him who moves everything penetrates through the universe, and is resplendent in one part more and in another less.

Oh blind! Oh ignorant, self-seeking cupidity which spurs us so in the short mortal life and steeps us so through all eternity!

Ah! Justice of our God! Who else could stow Such travails new and pains as met my glance!

We have no hope and yet we live in longing.

That which had pleased me once, troubled by spirit.

The truth thy speech doth show, within my heart reproves the swelling pride.

The infernal storm, eternal in its rage, sweeps and drives the spirits with its blast; it whirls them, lashing them with punishment. When they are swept back past their place of judgment then come the shrieks, laments, and anguished cries; there they blaspheme God's almighty power.

The splendors that belong unto the fame of earth are but a wind, that in the same direction lasts not long.

To course across more kindly waters now my talent's little vessel lifts her sails, leaving behind herself a sea so cruel; and what I sing will be that second kingdom, in which the human soul is cleansed of sin, becoming worthy of ascent to Heaven.

Consider the sea's listless chime: Time's self it is, made audible.

You shall leave everything you love.

O power of fantasy that steals our minds from things outside, to leave us unaware, although a thousand trumpets may blow loud--what stirs you if the senses show you nothing? Light stirs you, formed in Heaven, by itself, or by His will Who sends it down to us.

Love with delight discourses in my mindUpon my lady's admirable gifts...Beyond the range of human intellect.

Still desiring, we live without hope.

These have not the hope to die.

The customs and fashions of men change like leaves on the bough, some of which go and others come.

There are souls beneath that water. Fixed in slimethey speak their piece, end it, and start again:'Sullen were we in the air made sweet by the Sun;in the glory of his shining our hearts poureda bitter smoke. Sullen were we begun;sullen we lie forever in this ditch.'This litany they gargle in their throatsas if they sand, but lacked the words and pitch.