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Growing in Spirit

Constantine P. Cavafy, Constantine P. Cavafy poetry, Secular or Eclectic, Secular or Eclectic poetry,  poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry,  poetry by Constantine P. Cavafy
(1863 - 1933) Timeline

English version by
Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard

Original Language
Greek

Secular or Eclectic
19th Century

He who hopes to grow in spirit
will have to transcend obedience and respect.
He will hold to some laws
but he will mostly violate
both law and custom, and go beyond
the established, inadequate norm.
Sensual pleasures will have much to teach him.
He will not be afraid of the destructive act:
half the house will have to come down.
This way he will grow virtuously into wisdom.

 

 

-- from C. P. Cavafy: Collected Poems, by Constantine P. Cavafy / Translated by Edmund Keely

Amazon.com

 

Themes

  Garden
 
 
 
 


Recommended Books


C. P. Cavafy: Collected Poems, by Constantine P. Cavafy / Translated by Edmund Keely
Cavafy: A Biography, by Robert Liddell
Cavafy's Alexandria, by Edmund Keely
The Complete Poems of Cavafy: Expanded Edition, by Constantine P. Cavafy / Translated by Rae Dalven

 

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Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
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