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Quote#Politics & Power

He who hopes to grow in spirit

Quote byKonstantinos P. Cavafy · 1863–1933

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Collected Poems (1992), Growing in Spirit (1903).

English (original)

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

— Konstantinos P. Cavafy

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