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75 Great Quotes By Nikos Kazantzakis, The Author Of The Last Temptation Of Christ

Famous As: One of the Most Important Figures of Modern Greek Literature, Best Known for His Work 'Zorba the Greek'
Born On: March 2, 1883
Died On: October 26, 1957
Born In: Heraklion, Greece
Died At Age: 74
Nikos Kazantzakis was a Greek writer who is renowned for his novels, travelogues and plays. He is regarded as one of the greatest literary personalities in Modern Greek literature. Kazantzakis attended the University of Athens, where he studied law and then went on to study at the famous Sorbonne in Paris, from where he was awarded his doctorate in philosophy in 1909. However, it was as a novelist that he became a global star and according to many; he was deeply influenced by the work of Freidrich Nietzche. Some of his most well-known works include, ‘Zorba the Greek’, ‘Captain Michalis’, ‘Christ Recrucified’, ‘Report to Greco’, ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ and ‘The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel’ among others. Jesus Christ became a recurring theme in many of his works. Kazantzakis’ work was widely translated and his writings were nominated for the ‘Nobel Prize in Literature’ a staggering 9 times but he did not win the big prize. We bring to you a treasure trove of quotes and thoughts that have been excerpted from his novels, books, plays and writings. Here is a collection of some of the best quotes from Nikos Kazantzakis’s life and works.
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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.

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.

Nikos Kazantzakis
I hope nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.

I hope nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.

Nikos Kazantzakis
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 their
own.

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 their own.

Nikos Kazantzakis
God changes his appearance every second. Blessed is the man who can recognize him in all his disguises.

God changes his appearance every second. Blessed is the man who can recognize him in all his disguises.

Nikos Kazantzakis
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.

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.

Nikos Kazantzakis
A man needs a little madness, or else... he never dares cut the rope and be free.

A man needs a little madness, or else... he never dares cut the rope and be free.

Nikos Kazantzakis
Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.

Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.

Nikos Kazantzakis
You can knock on a deaf man's door forever.

You can knock on a deaf man's door forever.

Nikos Kazantzakis
The only thing I know is this: I am full of wounds and still standing on my feet.

The only thing I know is this: I am full of wounds and still standing on my feet.

Nikos Kazantzakis
I said to the almond tree, 'Sister, speak to me of God.' And the almond tree blossomed.

I said to the almond tree, 'Sister, speak to me of God.' And the almond tree blossomed.

Nikos Kazantzakis
Life is trouble. Only death is not. To be alive is to undo your belt and *look* for trouble.

Life is trouble. Only death is not. To be alive is to undo your belt and *look* for trouble.

Nikos Kazantzakis
You have your brush, you have your colors, you paint the paradise, then in you go.

You have your brush, you have your colors, you paint the paradise, then in you go.

Nikos Kazantzakis
Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good fortune to sail the Aegean sea.

Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good fortune to sail the Aegean sea.

Nikos Kazantzakis
Every man has his folly, but the greatest folly of all … is not to have one.

Every man has his folly, but the greatest folly of all … is not to have one.

Nikos Kazantzakis
For I realize today that it is a mortal sin to violate the great laws of nature. We should not hurry, we should not be impatient, but we should confidently obey the eternal rhythm.

For I realize today that it is a mortal sin to violate the great laws of nature. We should not hurry, we should not be impatient, but we should confidently obey the eternal rhythm.

Nikos Kazantzakis
The highest point a man can attain is not Knowledge, or Virtue, or Goodness, or Victory, but something even greater, more heroic and more despairing: Sacred Awe!

The highest point a man can attain is not Knowledge, or Virtue, or Goodness, or Victory, but something even greater, more heroic and more despairing: Sacred Awe!

Nikos Kazantzakis
Reach what you cannot

Reach what you cannot

Nikos Kazantzakis
All those who actually live the mysteries of life haven't the time to write, and all those who have the time don't live them! D'you see?

All those who actually live the mysteries of life haven't the time to write, and all those who have the time don't live them! D'you see?

Nikos Kazantzakis
We come from a dark abyss, we end in a dark abyss, and we call the luminous interval life.

We come from a dark abyss, we end in a dark abyss, and we call the luminous interval life.

Nikos Kazantzakis
You have everything but one thing: madness. A man needs a little madness or else - he never dares cut the rope and be free.

You have everything but one thing: madness. A man needs a little madness or else - he never dares cut the rope and be free.

Nikos Kazantzakis
Let your youth have free reign, it won't come again, so be bold and no repenting.

Let your youth have free reign, it won't come again, so be bold and no repenting.

Nikos Kazantzakis
Beauty is merciless. You do not look at it, it looks at you and does not forgive.

Beauty is merciless. You do not look at it, it looks at you and does not forgive.

Nikos Kazantzakis
What a strange machine man is! You fill him with bread, wine, fish, and radishes, and out comes sighs, laughter, and dreams.

What a strange machine man is! You fill him with bread, wine, fish, and radishes, and out comes sighs, laughter, and dreams.

Nikos Kazantzakis
Every perfect traveler always creates the country where he travels.

Every perfect traveler always creates the country where he travels.

Nikos Kazantzakis
When everyone drowns and I'm the only one to escape, God is protecting me. When everyone else is saved and I'm the only one to drown, God is protecting me then too.

When everyone drowns and I'm the only one to escape, God is protecting me. When everyone else is saved and I'm the only one to drown, God is protecting me then too.

Nikos Kazantzakis
When I encounter a sunrise, a painting, a woman, or an idea that makes my heart bound like a young calf, then I know I am standing in front of happiness.

When I encounter a sunrise, a painting, a woman, or an idea that makes my heart bound like a young calf, then I know I am standing in front of happiness.

Nikos Kazantzakis
Man is able, and has the duty, to reach the furthest point on the road he has chosen. Only by means of hope can we attain what is beyond hope.

Man is able, and has the duty, to reach the furthest point on the road he has chosen. Only by means of hope can we attain what is beyond hope.

Nikos Kazantzakis
Only one woman exists in this world, one woman with countless faces.

Only one woman exists in this world, one woman with countless faces.

Nikos Kazantzakis
My principle anguish and the source of all my joys and sorrows from my youth onward has been the incessant, merciless battle between the spirit and the flesh.

My principle anguish and the source of all my joys and sorrows from my youth onward has been the incessant, merciless battle between the spirit and the flesh.

Nikos Kazantzakis
My entire soul is a cry, and all my work is a commentary on that cry.

My entire soul is a cry, and all my work is a commentary on that cry.

Nikos Kazantzakis