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Because of this many have cried out: The goal of ephemeral life is immortality! In the temporary living organism these two streams collide: (a) the ascent toward composition, toward life, toward immortality; (b) the descent toward decomposition, toward matter, toward death, Both streams well up from the depths of primordial essence.

— Nikos Kazantzakis

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More quotes by Nikos Kazantzakis

I know well that only words, that words alone,
like the high mountains, have no fear of age or death.

The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel (1938)

Who holds a sword is tempted, who has youth must play,
he who does not fear death on earth does not fear God.

The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel (1938)

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

Report to Greco (1965)

I am a mariner of Odysseus with heart of fire but with mind ruthless and clear.

Toda Raba (1934)

This book is not a biography; it is the confession of every man who struggles.

The Last Temptation of Christ (1955)

All Nikos Kazantzakis quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Nikos Kazantzakis (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.