C.P. Cavafy Professions : Poet Born : April 29, 1863 Died : April 29, 1933 Browse All Authors Top 35 quotes by C.P. Cavafy When you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge. C.P. Cavafy journey healing adventure And if you can't shape your life the way you want, at least try as much as you can not to degrade it. C.P. Cavafy shapes want trying Have Ithaka always in your mind. Your arrival there is what you are destined for. But don't in the least hurry the journey. C.P. Cavafy arrivals journey mind My life has been awaiting you. Your footfall was my own heart's beat. C.P. Cavafy beats heart romantic Honor to those who in the life they lead C.P. Cavafy badass hate lying To certain people there comes a day when they must say the great Yes or the great No. C.P. Cavafy certain people What shall become of us without any barbarians? Those people were a kind of solution. C.P. Cavafy barbarians kindness people And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you. Wise as you have become, with so much experience, you must already have understood what these Ithacas mean. C.P. Cavafy poor wise mean Body, remember not only how much you were loved, not only the beds you lay on, but also those desires glowing openly in eyes that looked at you, trembling for you in voices. C.P. Cavafy glowing voice eye Don’t mourn your luck that’s failing now, work gone wrong, your plans all proving deceptive — don’t mourn them uselessly. As one long prepared, and graced with courage, say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving. Above all, don’t fool yourself, don’t say it was a dream, your ears deceived you: don’t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these. C.P. Cavafy dream goodbye long Return often and take me, beloved sensation, return and take me - When memory of the body awakens, and old desire again runs through the blood; when the lips and skin remember, and the hands feel as if they touch again. C.P. Cavafy running memories blood One candle is enough. Its gentle light will be more suitable, will be more gracious when the Shades arrive, the Shades of Love. C.P. Cavafy shade light enough When you set out for Ithaca, ask that your way be long C.P. Cavafy asks long way From all I did and all I said let no one try to find out who I was. C.P. Cavafy said trying If you are one of the truly elect, be careful how you attain your eminence. C.P. Cavafy eminence careful be-careful The days of the future stand in front of us Like a line of candles all alight Golden and warm and lively little candles. C.P. Cavafy golden lines littles Arriving there is what you are destined for C.P. Cavafy destined arriving Guard, O my soul, against pomp and glory. And if you cannot curb your ambitions, at least pursue them hesitantly, cautiously. And the higher you go, the more searching and careful you need to be. C.P. Cavafy ambition soul needs 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. O land of Ionia, they're still in love with you, their souls still keep your memory. C.P. Cavafy love-you memories mean Roses by the head, jasmine at the feet so appear the longings that have passed without being satisfied, not one of them granted a night of sensual pleasure, or one of its radiant mornings. C.P. Cavafy feet morning night Similar Authors Abdellatif Laabi poet Ihara Saikaku poet Abram Joseph Ryan poet Ingeborg Bachmann poet Izumi Shikibu poet Bion of Smyrna poet All Authors
