"May I write words more naked than flesh, stronger than bone, more resilient than sinew, sensitive than nerve."
About Sappho
Sappho — Life and Legacy
Sappho, a prominent figure of ancient Greek literature, is celebrated for her lyrical poetry that delves into the depths of love and desire. Her distinctive voice captures the emotional complexities of relationships, particularly through her famous work 'Ode to Aphrodite', where she invokes the goddess of love to express her longing and yearning. Sappho's poetry often reflects her personal experiences, revealing a profound understanding of the human heart. In her verses, Sappho articulates the intensity of love, often portraying it as a force that can bring both joy and suffering. For instance, her exploration of desire is not merely romantic; it encompasses a broader spectrum of emotional experiences, illustrating the tension between longing and fulfillment. This complexity is evident in her lines that convey the bittersweet nature of love, challenging the conventional norms of her time by openly expressing female desire and affection. The relevance of Sappho's quotes and ideas continues to resonate today, as they provide a lens through which readers can examine their own emotional landscapes. Her ability to articulate the nuances of love and desire has made her a timeless voice in literature, influencing countless poets and writers who seek to capture the intricacies of human emotion.
Quote collection
Sappho quotes (page 1 of 3)
52 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"When I look on you a moment, then I can speak no more, but my tongue falls silent, and at once a delicate flame courses beneath my skin, and with my eyes I see nothing, and my ears hum, and a wet sweat bathes me and a trembling seizes me all over."
"You may forget but let me tell you this: someone in some future time will think of us"
"Beauty endures only for as long as it can be seen; goodness, beautiful today, will remain so tomorrow."
"What cannot be said will be wept."
"Someone, I tell you, in another time will remember us"
"Whatever one loves most is beautiful."
"Once again love drives me on, that loosener of limbs, bittersweet creature against which nothing can be done."
"Although only breath, words which I command are immortal."
"Stand and face me, my love,and scatter the grace in your eyes."
"Love shook my heart/ Like the wind on the mountain/ Troubling the oak-trees"
"All the while, believe me, I prayed our night would last twice as long."
"Stars veil their beauty soon / Beside the glorious moon, / When her full silver light / Doth make the whole earth bright."
"Love is a cunning weaver of fantasies and fables."
"Some say an army of horsemen, or infantry, A fleet of ships is the fairest thing On the face of the black earth, but I say It's what one loves."
"Mere air, these words, but delicious to hear."
"When anger spreads through the breath, guard thy tongue from barking idly."
"Death is an evil; the gods have so judged; had it been good, they would die."
"With his venom irresistible and bittersweet that loosener of limbs, Love reptile-like strikes me down"
"I know not what to do, my mind is divided"