Top 10 Constantine Cavafy Quotes at QuotationFun

Displaying Top 10 Constantine Cavafy quotes

Our Biography page will tell you more about Constantine Cavafy

We for the best will strive. And always more defective, more perplexing than before, shall all things fare; until, as in a mist, we stray bewildered. Then we shall desist. For in that helpless hour the gods attend. They always come, the gods. They will descend from their machines, and straightway liberate some and as suddenly exterminate others; and having reformed us, they will go. And afterward, one will act so; and so another; and in time the rest will do as they needs must. And we shall start anew.

The Intervention of the Gods. Translated by John Cavafy.

Later, in a more perfect society, someone else made just like me is certain to appear and act freely.

Collected Poems - 1992, as translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard; edited by George Savidis, published online at The Official Website of the Cavafy Archive. Hidden Things.

He was a quiet, gentle man, a man who loved peace (his country had suffered much from the wars of his predecessor), he behaved graciously toward everyone, humble and great alike. Never high-handed, he always sought advice in the kingdom’s affairs from serious, experienced people. Just why his nephew killed him was never precisely explained.

Collected Poems - 1992, as translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard; edited by George Savidis, published online at The Official Website of the Cavafy Archive. King Claudius - inspired by the story of Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

His friends weren’t Christians; that much was certain. But even so they couldn’t play as he could (brought up a Christian) with a new religious system, ludicrous in both theory and application. They were, after all, Greeks. Nothing in excess, Augustus.

Collected Poems - 1992, as translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard; edited by George Savidis, published online at The Official Website of the Cavafy Archive. Julian Seeing Contempt.

On hearing about powerful love, respond, be moved like an aesthete. Only, fortunate as you’ve been, remember how much your imagination created for you.

Collected Poems - 1992, as translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard; edited by George Savidis, published online at The Official Website of the Cavafy Archive. On Hearing of Love.

As the shores of Ithaca gradually Faded away behind him And he sailed swiftly westward Toward Iberia and the Pillars of Hercules, Far from every Achaean sea, He felt he was alive once more, Freed from the oppressive bonds Of familiar, domestic things. And his adventurous heart rejoiced Coldly, devoid of love.

Collected Poems - 1992, as translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard; edited by George Savidis, published online at The Official Website of the Cavafy Archive. Second Odyssey - translated by Walter Kaiser.

When setting out upon your way to Ithaca, wish always that your course be long, full of adventure, full of lore.

Ithaka - 1911

Of course many people will have much to say. We should listen. But we won't be deceived by words such as Indispensable, Unique, and Great. Someone else indispensable and unique and great can always be found at a moment's notice.

When the Watchman Saw the Light - 1900.

Now the longed-for signal has appeared. Yet when happiness comes it brings less joy than one expected. But at least we've gained this much: we've rid ourselves of hope and expectation.

When the Watchman Saw the Light - 1900

How much we’ll tell down there, how much, and how very different we’ll appear. What we protect here like sleepless guards, wounds and secrets locked inside us, protect with such great anxiety day after day, we’ll disclose freely and clearly down there.

Collected Poems - 1992, as translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard; edited by George Savidis, published online at The Official Website of the Cavafy Archive. The Rest I Will Tell to Those Down to Hades.