Canto XXX, lines 118–120 (tr. C. E. Norton).
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
Quotes from book
Purgatorio
Dante Alighieri
Original title
Purgatorio
(Italian, 1316)
Purgatorio is the second part of Dante's Divine Comedy, following the Inferno, and preceding the Paradiso. The poem was written in the early 14th century. It is an allegory telling of the climb of Dante up the Mount of Purgatory, guided by the Roman poet Virgil, except for the last four cantos at which point Beatrice takes over as Dante's guide.
Canto XI, lines 100–102 (tr. C. E. Norton).
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
“He goes seeking liberty, which is so dear, as he knows who gives his life for it.”
Canto I, lines 71–72 (tr. Sinclair).
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
Canto VI, lines 37–39 (tr. Longfellow).
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
“O human race, born to fly upward, wherefore at a little wind dost thou so fall?”
Canto XII, lines 95–96 (tr. C. E. Norton).
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
“Love kindled by virtue always kindles another, provided that its flame appear outwardly.”
Canto XXII, lines 10–12.
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
Canto XVI, lines 79–83 (tr. Sinclair).
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
Canto X, lines 121–129 (tr. Mandelbaum).
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
Context: O Christians, arrogant, exhausted, wretched,
Whose intellects are sick and cannot see,
Who place your confidence in backward steps,
Do you not know that we are worms and born
To form the angelic butterfly that soars,
Without defenses, to confront His judgment?
Why does your mind presume to flight when you
Are still like the imperfect grub, the worm
Before it has attained its final form?
“Ye keep your watch in the eternal day.”
Voi vigilate ne l'etterno die.
Canto XXX, line 103 (tr. Longfellow).
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
