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Dante Quotes

Timeless words inspired by the poet who defined Italian literature.

Dante Alighieri's name still opens doors in literary conversation, from book clubs built around his poetry to writers measuring their own work against his. These quotes trace that reach, including one that places him beside Cervantes as a national literary giant.

'The Dante Club' was one of America's most important book clubs, as their Wednesday night meetings ultimately led to our country's first exposure to Dante's poetry on a wide scale.

Quotes by Matthew Pearl

Harvard was also a little bit of a villain in my first book, 'The Dante Club.' I guess there might be a way to make Harvard more of a sympathetic presence, but it's such a powerful institution that it more...

Quotes by Matthew Pearl

I've said this time and time again: Dante Scarnecchia is the best offensive line coach in the NFL.

Quotes by Matt Cassel

In the literature of France Moliere occupies the same kind of position as Cervantes in that of Spain, Dante in that of Italy, and Shakespeare in that of England. His glory is more than national - it is universal.

Quotes by Lytton Strachey

Anywhere Else Quotes

Most of my reading is based on what I'm working on. I did a series of paintings based on the seven deadly sins, so I read Dante and then Milton's 'Paradise Lost.' That was a bit hard going.

Quotes by Jamie Wyeth

The founding father of Albanian literature is the nineteenth-century writer Naim Frasheri. Without having the greatness of Dante or Shakespeare, he is nonetheless the founder, the emblematic character. He wrote long epic poems, as well as lyrical poetry, to awaken...

Quotes by Ismail Kadare

We cannot deny that 80 or even 90 percent of the spiritual treasures from the past 3,000 years have come from Europe. There is no other Greek theatre anywhere else in the world. There is no other Shakespeare, Dante or...

Quotes by Ismail Kadare

Dreaming is an act of pure imagination, attesting in all men a creative power, which if it were available in waking, would make every man a Dante or Shakespeare.

Quotes by Frederick Henry Hedge

When I met Dante I didn't work in the movies, but I enjoyed so much the movies. I worked in interior design and when I met Dante, we tried to do something together.

Quotes by Francesca Lo Schiavo

Best Quotes

There is no difficult moment working together because when we start a new project, Dante starts to make all the sketches and I can see the vision of the movie and then I start my job.

Quotes by Francesca Lo Schiavo

My father was highbrow: writing long biographies of Dante and stuff like that. Ghostwriting sportsman memoirs? That was sort of the lowest of the low.

Quotes by David Lagercrantz

My background isn't in social software; it's in online community, social networks, personal publishing, blogging, self-expression on the Web. I got on the Internet in the 1980s, and the magic moment for me arose from my being a literature geek,...

Quotes by Caterina Fake

The ninth, the worst circle of the Inferno - Dante intended it for traitors.

Quotes by Alija Izetbegovic

Frequently Asked Questions

What are these Dante quotes about?
This collection gathers lines that reference Dante Alighieri, from tributes to his poetry's lasting influence to comparisons that place him among the greatest writers in European literature.
Why do people quote Dante so often?
Dante's poetry is often cited as a foundational moment for vernacular Italian writing, and quotes here reflect that reputation, including one that ranks him beside Cervantes and Shakespeare as a national literary giant.
What is 'The Dante Club' referenced in some quotes?
A couple of quotes here come from an author discussing 'The Dante Club,' both a novel and a real historical book club credited with introducing Dante's poetry to a wider American audience.
Is every quote here about the poet Dante?
Not exactly; one quote uses 'Dante' as a football coach's first name, showing how the name carries weight and recognition well outside literature too.
Where can I find quotes about other classic writers?
For comparable literary figures, see Book quotes, or browse further afield with Anywhere Else quotes.

Some quotes here use 'Dante' as a name shared with people far outside poetry, like an NFL line coach, showing how the name itself carries weight. For more literary voices, browse Book quotes.