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25 Fundamental Quotes From the Poet Dante Alighieri

Dante Alighieri, born Durante di Alighiero degli Alighieri, was an Italian poet born in the 13th century, who was instrumental in shaping Italian and European literature. He was also a staunch supporter of the use of vernacular in literature and has been described as the Father of the Italian language. While he has been responsible for works in different languages, such as The New Life, which was written in the Tuscan dialect, his most famous work is 'The Divine Comedy', still today revered as one of the greatest works of literature.

'The Divine Comedy' is a long narrative describing the descent of Dante into Hell and his journey to reach Heaven, a medieval allegory of the travels of the soul to find God. The poem was divided into three parts, Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso, describing the poet's vision of hell, purgatory, and heaven respectively. For his incredible work, Dante was awarded the nickname 'the Supreme Poet'. His words, in any language, speak volumes of the nature of humankind with a resounding profundity that everyone can appreciate. These 25 lines have been taken straight from the many works of Dante to give you a new way of looking at things.       

 

1. On Perfection

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, The more perfect a thing is, the more susceptible to good and evil it is

The more perfect a thing is, the more susceptible to good and evil it is.

 

2. On Being Firm

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, Be as a tower firmly set, and shakes not its top for any blast that blows

Be as a tower firmly set, and shakes not its top for any blast that blows.

 

3. On Growth

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, From a little spark may burst a flame

From a little spark may burst a flame.

 

4. On Fear

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, One ought to be afraid of nothing other then things possessed of power to do us harm, but things innocuous need not be feared

One ought to be afraid of nothing other than things possessed of power to do us harm, but things innocuous need not be feared. 

 

5. On misery

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, There is no greater sorrow than to recall happiness in times of misery

There is no greater sorrow than to recall happiness in times of misery.

 

6. On Paradise

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, The path to paradise begins in hell

The path to paradise begins in hell. 

 

7. On Beauty

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, Heat cannot be separated from fire, or beauty from The Eternal

Heat cannot be separated from fire, or beauty from The Eternal.

 

8. On Art

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, Art, as far as it is able, follows nature, as a pupil imitates his master; thus your art must be, as it were, God's grandchild

Art, as far as it is able, follows nature, as a pupil imitates his master; thus your art must be, as it were, God's grandchild.

 

9. On Our Origins

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, Consider your origins: you were not made to live as brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge

Consider your origins: you were not made to live as brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.

 

10. On Being Neutral

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis

The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.

 

11. On Getting Things Done

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, The secret of getting things done is to act

The secret of getting things done is to act!

 

12. On the Fickleness of Fame

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, Worldly fame is but a breath of wind that blows now this way, and now that, and changes name as it changes direction

Worldly fame is but a breath of wind that blows now this way, and now that, and changes name as it changes direction.

 

13. On Fashion

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, The customs and fashions of men change like leaves on the bough, some of which go and others come

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

 

14. On Powerlessness 

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, For where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own

For where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own.

 

15. On Exploration

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, My course is set for an uncharted sea.

My course is set for an uncharted sea. 

 

16. On Love

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, Love insists the loved loves back

Love insists the loved loves back.

 

17. On Kindness

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, He who sees a need and waits to be asked for help is as unkind as if he had refused it.

He who sees a need and waits to be asked for help is as unkind as if he had refused it. 

 

18. On Excessive Sleeping

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, The man who lies asleep will never waken fame, and his desire and all his life drift past him like a dream, and the traces of his memory fade from time like smoke in air, or ripples on a stream.

The man who lies asleep will never waken fame, and his desire and all his life drift past him like a dream, and the traces of his memory fade from time like smoke in air, or ripples on a stream.

 

19. On Learning

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, He who hears, but does not hold what he has heard, learns nothing

He who hears, but does not hold what he has heard, learns nothing. 

 

20. On Faith

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, Faith is the substance of the things we hope for, And evidence of those that are not seen…

Faith is the substance of the things we hope for,
And evidence of those that are not seen…

 

21. On Being Hasty 

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, Haste denies all acts their dignity.

Haste denies all acts their dignity.

 

22. On God’s Greatest Gift to Humankind

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, God's greatest gift to man In all the bounty He was moved to make Throughout creation-the one gift the most Close to his goodness and the one He calls Most precious-is free will.

God's greatest gift to man
In all the bounty He was moved to make
Throughout creation-the one gift the most
Close to his goodness and the one He calls
Most precious-is free will. 

 

23. On Laughter

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, What is laughter but a flashing of the soul, that is, a light appearing externally as it is within

What is laughter but a flashing of the soul, that is, a light appearing externally as it is within.

 

24. On Behaving 

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, Behave like men and not like witless sheep

Behave like men and not like witless sheep.

 

25. On Fate

Quotes from Dante Alighieri, Poet and author of the Divine Comedy, Do not be afraid; our fate cannot be taken from us; it is a gift

Do not be afraid; our fate cannot be taken from us; it is a gift. 

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