Gavrila Derzhavin Quotes

Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin was one of the most highly esteemed Russian poets before Alexander Pushkin, as well as a statesman. Although his works are traditionally considered literary classicism, his best verse is rich with antitheses and conflicting sounds in a way reminiscent of John Donne and other metaphysical poets. Wikipedia  

✵ 3. July 1743 – 8. July 1816
Gavrila Derzhavin photo
Gavrila Derzhavin: 3   quotes 0   likes

Famous Gavrila Derzhavin Quotes

“Thou art! directing, guiding all, Thou art!
Direct my understanding then to Thee;
Control my spirit, guide my wandering heart:
Though but an atom midst immensity.”

Poemː God
Reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 283.

“The current of Time's river
Will carry off all human deeds
And sink into oblivion
All peoples, kingdoms and their kings.

And if there's something that remains
Through sounds of horn and lyre,
It too will disappear into the maw of time
And not avoid the common pyre… [lines broken]”

Рѣка временъ въ своемъ стремленьи
Уноситъ всѣ дѣла людей
И топитъ въ пропасти забвенья
Народы, царства и царей.

А если что и остается
Чрезъ звуки лиры и трубы,
То вѣчности жерломъ пожрется
И общей не уйдетъ судьбы!
Lines found at Derzhavin's table after his death.
For another translation, see Time's river in its rushing current

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