Quotes from Sappho

Really, if you are my friend, choose a younger bed. I can't bear to live with you when I am the older one

Like a sweet apple reddening on a high branch, on the tip of the topmost branch and forgotten by the apple pickers—no, beyond their reach. Like a hyacinth in the mountains that shepherd men trample down with their feet, and on the earth the purple flower

Love shook my senses, like wind crashing on mountain oaks. You came, I yearned for you, and you cooled my senses that burned with desire.

Rebuff other ways as quickly as you can and you, Dika, with your soft hands take stems of lovely anise and loop them in your locks. The blessed Graces love to gaze at one in flowers but turn their backs on one whose hair is bare.

Virginity, virginity, where have you gone, leaving me abandoned? No longer will I come to you. No longer will I come.

I will love [you] . . . as long as [breath] is in me . . . will care. . . . I declare I am your steady friend

Now she stands out among Lydian women as after sunset the rose-fingered moon exceeds all stars.

Evening Star who gathers everything shining dawn scattered – you bring the sheep and the goats, you bring the child back to its mother. Most beautiful of all the stars

For you Kleis I have no embroidered headband and no idea where to find one while the Mytilinian rules These colorfully embroidered headbands these things the children of the Kleanax In exile memories terribly wasted away

A man who is beautiful is beautiful to see but a good man at once takes on beauty.

a delicate young girl plucking flowers Just now Dawn in golden sandals But you yourself, Kalliope I myself once wove garlands.

Today dear friends I will sing beautifully and make you happy. — Sappho

your sweet apple grove, altars smoking with frankincense

Wealth without virtue makes a dangerous neighbor, while their blend holds the pinnacle of happiness.

For you beautiful women my mind never changes.

When anger spreads in the breast, guard against an idly barking tongue.

if only I, O goldcrowned Aphrodite, could win this lot

Earth is embroidered with rainbow-colored garlands

I loved you Atthis once long ago. You seemed to me a little child and graceless.

The Moon and Pleiades have set, / Midnight is nigh, / The time is passing, passing, yet / Alone I lie.

The moon is setand the Pleiades; Middle ofthe night, time passes by,I lie alone.

Whatever one loves most is beautiful.

Once again love drives me on, that loosener of limbs, bittersweet creature against which nothing can be done.

Stand and face me, my love,and scatter the grace in your eyes.