To course across more kindly waters now my talent's little vessel lifts her sails, leaving behind herself a sea so cruel; and what I sing will be that second kingdom, in which the human soul is cleansed of sin, becoming worthy of ascent to Heaven.
Dante AlighieriA prayer may chance to rise From one whose heart lives in the grace of God. A prayer from any other is unheeded.
Dante AlighieriFor where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defense.
Dante AlighieriAs flowerlets drooped and puckered in the night turn up to the returning sun and spread their petals wide on his new warmth and light-just so my wilted spirits rose again and such a heat of zeal surged through my veins that I was born anew.
Dante Alighieri