Fate’s arrow, when expected, travels slow.

No one thinks of how much blood it costs.

In the middle of the journey of our life I came to myself within a dark wood where the straight way was lost.

Haste denies all acts their dignity.

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

At this high moment, ability failed my capacity to describe.

Love, that moves the sun and the other stars

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

Will cannot be quenched against its will.

Amor, ch’al cor gentile ratto s’apprendeprese costui de la bella personache mi fu tolta; e ‘l modo ancor m’offende.Amor, che a nullo amato amar perdona,Mi prese del costui piacer sì forte,Che, come vedi, ancor non...

The secret of getting things done is to act!

All those who perish in the wrath of God Here meet together out of every land;And ready are they to pass o’er the river, Because celestial Justice spurs them on, So that their fear is...

My son, you’ve seen the temporary fireand the eternal fire; you have reachedthe place past which my powers cannot see.I’ve brought you here through intellect and art;from now on, let your pleasure be your guide;you’re...

He listens well who takes notes.

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

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

L’amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle.

From a little spark may burst a flame.

…I am left with lessthan one drop of my blood that does not tremble.I recognize the the signs of the old flame.

The wish to hear such baseness is degrading.

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.

The experience of this sweet life.

O conscience, upright and stainless, how bitter a sting to thee is a little fault!

Remember tonight… for it is the beginning of always

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

Within her presence, I had once been usedto feeling—trembling—wonder, dissolution;but that was long ago. Still, though my soul,now she was veiled, could not see her directly,by way of hidden force that she could move,I felt...

I felt for the tormented whirlwindsDamned for their carnal sinsCommitted when they let their passions rule their reason.

I wept not, so to stone within I grew.

High justice would in no way be debased if ardent love should cancel instantly the debts these penitents must satisfy.

All hope abandon, ye who enter here.

The wisest are the most annoyed at the loss of time.

Pride, envy, avarice – these are the sparks have set on fire the hearts of all men.

Come on, shake off the covers of this sloth, for sitting softly cushioned, or tucked in bed, is no way to win fame.

There is no greater sorrow than to recall our time of joy in wretchedness.

Small projects need much more help than great.

For certain he hath seen all perfectnessFor certain he hath seen all perfectness. Who among other ladies hath seen mine: They that go with her humbly should combine To thank their God for such peculiar...

Through me is the way to the city of woe. Through me is the way to sorrow eternal. Through me is the way to the lost below. Justice moved my architect supernal. I was constructed...

Mentre che la speranza ha fior del verde

A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark.

Here sighs and cries and shrieks of lamentation echoed throughout the starless air of Hell;at first these sounds resounding made me weep:tongues confused, a language strained in anguishwith cadences of anger, shrill outcriesand raucous groans...

When you are nearer, you will understand how much your eyesight is deceived by distance. Therefore, push yourself a little harder.

Nature is the art of God.

If you, free as you are of every weighthad stayed below, then that would be as strangeas living flame on earth remaining still.”And then she turned her gaze up toward the heavens.

And he began, “What chance or destinyhas brought you here before your final day?And who is he who leads your pilgrimage?””Up there in life beneath the quiet starsI lost my way,” I answered, “in a...

Thy soul is by vile fear assailed

All hope abandon, ye who enter here!

I am the way into the city of woe,I am the way into eternal pain,I am the way to go among the lost.Justice caused my high architect to move,Divine omnipotence created me,The highest wisdom, and...

The weapons of divine justice are blunted by the confession and sorrow of the offender.

I love to doubt as well as know.

The path to paradise begins in hell.