April 29: Constantine Cavafy

Constantine Cavafy is a Greek poet, who wrote a famous poem called Ithaka. He was born on this date in 1863, so here are ten quotes from him:

1. When setting out upon your way to Ithaca, wish always that your course be long, full of adventure, full of lore.
2. If you are one of the truly elect, be careful how you attain your eminence.
3. And if you can’t shape your life the way you want, at least try as much as you can not to degrade it.
4. Have Ithaka always in your mind. Your arrival there is what you are destined for. But don't in the least hurry the journey.
5. Pray that the summer mornings are many when with such pleasure, with such joy you will enter ports seen for the first time.
6. Done Amid fear and suspicion, with startled minds and frightened eyes, we pine and scheme over what steps to take to avoid the certain danger that threatens us so horribly. Yet we are wrong. This was not the danger in store; the portents were false (or we never heard them, or failed to construe them properly). It’s some other disaster, precipitous, violent, one we hadn’t imagined, that suddenly takes us unawares, and – there’s no time now – overcomes us.
7. Do not hurry the journey at all: better that it lasts for many years and you arrive an old man on the island, rich from all that you have gained on the way, not counting on Ithaca for riches. For Ithaca gave you the splendid voyage: without her you would never have embarked. She has nothing more to give you now. And though you find her poor, she has not misled you; you having grown so wise, so experienced from your travels, by then you will have learned what Ithacas mean.
8. You won't find a new country, won't find another shore. This city will always pursue you.
9. That we’ve broken their statues, that we’ve driven them out of their temples, doesn’t mean at all that the gods are dead.
10. Just to be on the first step should make you happy and proud. To have come this far is no small achievement: what you have done is a glorious thing.

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