Author: Constantine Cavafy

Cited by

• Kathryn Harrison (1)
  • IN: The Binding Chair, or, A Visit fromthe Foot Emancipation Society (2000) Fiction, American
    EPIGRAPH: You'll always arrive at the same city. Don't hope for somewhere else; no ship for you exists, no road exists
    FROM: The City, (1984), Poem, Egypt
• Joy Williams (1)
  • IN: State of Grace (1973) Fiction, American
    EPIGRAPH: Ah! don’t you see Just as you’ve ruined your life in this One plot of ground you’ve ruined its worth Everywhere now — over the whole earth?
    FROM: The City, (1894), Poem, Egypt/Greece
• Nava Semel (1)
  • IN: Isra Isle (2016) Fiction, NULL
    EPIGRAPH: Always in your mind keep Ithaca. To arrive there is your destiny. But do not hurry your trip in any way. Better that it last for many years; that you drop anchor at the island an old man, rich with all you've gotten on the way...
    FROM: Ithaca, (1911), Poem, Egypt/Greece
• Paulo Coelho (1)
  • IN: The Zahir (2005) Fiction, NULL
    EPIGRAPH: When you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of discovery. Lestrygonians and the Cyclops, the angry Poseidon—do not fear them: You will never find such as these on your path, if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine emotion touches your spirit and your body Lestrygonians and the Cyclops, the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter, if you do not carry them within your soul, if your heart does not set them up before you. Pray that the road is long. That the summer mornings are many, when, with such pleasure, with such joy you will enter ports seen for the first time; stop at Phoenician markets, and purchase fine merchandise, mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony, and sensual perfumes of all kinds, as many sensual perfumes as you can; visit many Egyptian cities, to learn and learn from scholars. Always keep Ithaca in your mind. To arrive there is your ultimate goal. But do not hurry the voyage at all. It is better to let it last for many years; and to anchor at the island when you are old, rich with all you have gained on the way, not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches. Ithaka has given you the beautiful voyage. Without her you would never have set out on the road. She has nothing more to give you. And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you. Wise as you have become, with so much experience, you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.
    FROM: "Ithaca" (trans. Dalven, Rae), (1961), Poem, Egypt