Purgatorio Quotes

[Cato]: “While I was there, within the other world, Marcia so pleased my eyes,” he then replied, “each kindness she required, I satisfied. Now that she dwells beyond the evil rive...

[Virgil to Cato]: “…but I am from the circle where the chaste eyes of your Marcia are; and she still prays to you, o holy breast, to keep her as your own: for her love, then, incline to...

[Virgil to Dante]: “Foolish is he who hopes our intellect can reach the end of that unending road only one Substance in three Persons follows. Confine yourselves, o humans, to the quia; had y...

But here, since I am yours, o holy Muses, may this poem rise again from Hell’s dead realm; and may Calliope rise somewhat here, accompanying my singing with that music whose power struck the...

he [Dante] goes in search of liberty – so precious, as he who gives his life for it must know. You know it – who, in Utica, found death for freedom was not bitter, when you left the gar...

[Virgil to Dante]: …“This mountain’s of such sort that climbing it is hardest at the start; but as we rise, the slope grows less unkind. Therefore, when this slope seems to you so...

I started: “O my light, it seems to me that in one passage you deny expressly that prayer can bend the rule of Heaven, yet these people pray precisely for that end. Is their hope, therefore,...

[Virgil]: “As I have told you, I was sent to him for his deliverance; the only road I could have taken was the road I took. I showed him all the people of perdition; now I intend to show to h...

And he [Virgil] to me: “Whatever makes them suffer their heavy torment bends them to the ground; at first I was unsure of what they were. But look intently there, and let your eyes unravel wh...

[Dante to the Late-Repentant who died of Violence]: “…if there’s anything within my power that might please you, then – by that same peace which in the steps of such a guide...