Constantine P. Cavafy quotes - page 2

He remembers impulses bridled, the joy he sacrificed. Every chance he lost now mocks his senseless caution. (Constantine P. Cavafy)
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. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
And if you can't shape your life the way you want, at least try as much as you can not to degrade it by too much contact with the world, by too much activity and talk. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
Immoral to a degree - and probably more than a degree - they certainly were. But they had the satisfaction that their life was the notorious life of Antioch, delectably sensual, in absolute good taste. To give up all this, indeed, for what? His hot air about the false gods, his boring self-advertisement, his childish fear of the theatre, his graceless prudery, his ridiculous beard. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
The empire is delivered at last. The vile, the appalling Julian reigns no longer. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
And if you can't shape your life the way you want, at least try as much as you can not to degrade it. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
Why have our two consuls and praetors come out today wearing their embroidered, their scarlet togas? Why have they put on bracelets with so many amethysts, rings sparkling with magnificent emeralds? Why are they carrying elegant canes beautifully worked in silver and gold?Because the barbarians are coming today and things like that dazzle the barbarians. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
Whatever job they give me, I'll try to be useful to the country. That's what I intend. But if they frustrate me with their manoeuvres - we know them, those smart operators: no need to say more here - if they frustrate me, it's not my fault. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
The love they felt wasn't, of course, what it once had been; the attraction between them had gradually diminished, the attraction had diminished a great deal. But to be separated, that wasn't what they themselves wanted. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
Later, in a more perfect society, someone else made just like me is certain to appear and act freely. View quote
Constantine P. 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. (Constantine P. Cavafy)
That's certainly one point of view. Quite understandable. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
Of what's to come the wise perceive things about to happen. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
The people going by would gaze at him, and one would ask the other if he knew him, if he was a Greek from Syria, or a stranger. But some who looked more carefully would understand and step aside. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
How quickly the candles multiply that have been put out. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
So let's not exaggerate. The light is good; and those coming are good, their words and actions also good. And let's hope all goes well. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
Why this sudden bewilderment, this confusion? View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
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. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
Its councils are full of Legislators no charlatan can fool. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
The frivolous can call me frivolous. I've always been most punctilious about important things. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
And, for me, the whole of you has been transformed into feeling. (Constantine P. Cavafy)
Don't mourn your luck that's failing now, work gone wrong, your plans all proving deceptive - don't mourn them uselessly. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
Speak not of guilt, speak not of responsibility. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
Now the longed-for signal has appeared. Yet when happiness comes it brings less joy than one expected. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy
The Spartans weren't to be led and ordered around like precious servants. View quote
Constantine P. Cavafy