As we come back from a 2-month trip in Greece, it is natural to share with you some of the Greek spirit. Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957) is one of the most famous Greek writers and philosophers, celebrated for his novel Zorba the Greek which was adapted into a movie. Starting in his youth, Kazantzakis was spiritually restless. Tortured by metaphysical and existential concerns, he sought relief in knowledge and travel, contact with a diverse set of people, in every kind of experience. He wrote a lot (novels, travel books, plays, essays…) and there are so many beautiful passages in his work. I decided to chose only 10 inspirational quotes of Nikos Kazantzakis though. They deal with 5 of my favorite themes and give you a glimpse of his way of thinking :
REALITY
“Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.”
“The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness.”
TRAVEL
“Every perfect traveler always creates the country where he travels.”
“You have your brush, you have your colors, you paint the paradise, then in you go.”
BELIEF
“In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can.”
“By believing passionately in something that does not yet exist, we create it.”
HAPPINESS
“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.”
“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.”
FREEDOM
“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free.”
“I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free.”
The last quote is the epitaph written on Kazantakis’ grave in Crete.
If you want to read more Greek quotes, check out this website!
Pictures : Google images
Follow us on 
