“I said to the almond tree: "Speak to me of God." And the almond tree blossomed.”

— Nikos Kazantzakis, The Fratricides, 1961, epigraph

About Nikos Kazantzakis

1883 – 1957

Greek writer, author of "Zorba the Greek".

“All that is required to feel that here and now is happiness is a simple, frugal heart.”

“God, what is all this talk put out by the popes? Paradise is here, my good man. God, give me no other paradise!”

“I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”