Nikos Kazantzakis

Novelist

1883-02-18 – 1957-10-26

Nikos Kazantzakis was a Greek novelist, poet, and philosopher, widely known for works such as Zorba the Greek and The Last Temptation of Christ. He is considered one of the major figures of modern Greek literature.

Quotes by Nikos Kazantzakis

We are to blame if reality does not take the form we desire. Whatever we have not desired with sufficient strength, that we call nonexistent. Desire it, imbrue it with your blood, your sweat, your tears, and it will take on a body. Reality is nothing more than the chimera subjected to our desire and our suffering.
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True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create theirown.
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Every perfect traveler always creates the country where he travels.
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You will, Judas, my brother. God will give you the strength, as much as you lack, because it is necessary— it is necessary for me to be killed and for you to betray me. We two must save the world. Help me.Judas bowed his head. After a moment he asked, If you had to betray your master, would you do it?Jesus reflected for a long time. Finally he said, No, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to. That is why God pitied me and gave me the easier task: to be crucified.
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Once more I realized to what an extent earthly happiness is made to the measure of man. It is not a rare bird which we must pursue at one moment in heaven, at the next in our minds. Happiness is a domestic bird found in our own courtyards.
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How simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. . . . All that is required to feel that here and now is happiness is a simple, frugal heart.
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If a woman sleeps alone it puts a shame on all men. God has a very big heart, but there is one sin He will not forgive. If a woman calls a man to her bed and he will not go.
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You can knock on a deaf man's door forever.
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I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else.
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I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else.
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True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create theirown.
Read quote
Once more I realized to what an extent earthly happiness is made to the measure of man. It is not a rare bird which we must pursue at one moment in heaven, at the next in our minds. Happiness is a domestic bird found in our own courtyards.
Read quote
We are to blame if reality does not take the form we desire. Whatever we have not desired with sufficient strength, that we call nonexistent. Desire it, imbrue it with your blood, your sweat, your tears, and it will take on a body. Reality is nothing more than the chimera subjected to our desire and our suffering.
Read quote
Every perfect traveler always creates the country where he travels.
Read quote
If a woman sleeps alone it puts a shame on all men. God has a very big heart, but there is one sin He will not forgive. If a woman calls a man to her bed and he will not go.
Read quote
You can knock on a deaf man's door forever.
Read quote
How simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. . . . All that is required to feel that here and now is happiness is a simple, frugal heart.
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You will, Judas, my brother. God will give you the strength, as much as you lack, because it is necessary— it is necessary for me to be killed and for you to betray me. We two must save the world. Help me.Judas bowed his head. After a moment he asked, If you had to betray your master, would you do it?Jesus reflected for a long time. Finally he said, No, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to. That is why God pitied me and gave me the easier task: to be crucified.
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The masses do not see the Sirens. They do not hear songs in the air. Blind, deaf, stooping, they pull at their oars in the hold of the earth. But the more select, the captains, harken to a Siren within them... and royally squander their lives with her.
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All my life, I struggled to stretch my mind to the breaking point, until it began to creak, in order to create a great thought which might be able to give a new meaning to life, a new meaning to death, and to console mankind.
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