“Be as a tower firmly set; Shakes not its top for any blast that blows.”
- c. 1265 – September 14, 1321
- Italian
- Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Author of The Divine Comedy
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Quote
“Be as a tower firmly set; Shakes not its top for any blast that blows.”
Explanation
This quote appears in Dante Alighieri’s Purgatorio, Canto V, where he offers an image of moral strength and steadfastness. The original Italian is: “Sii come torre ferma, che non crolla / già mai la cima per soffiar di venti.” Dante uses this simile to advise that a person should be like a well-founded tower, unshaken at the summit no matter how strong the winds—symbolizing the trials, temptations, or pressures of life.
The metaphor of the tower reflects Dante’s recurring emphasis on inner stability and virtuous resilience. In the journey of The Divine Comedy, the souls in Purgatory are learning to purify themselves and stand firm against their past weaknesses. This image is particularly powerful in contrast to the souls in Hell, who are perpetually blown about or tormented by their lack of moral foundation. Dante presents the firm tower as the ideal human state: anchored in virtue, guided by reason, and unmoved by fleeting influences.
In a modern context, this quote speaks to the value of emotional and ethical integrity in times of crisis or change. Whether facing public criticism, personal hardship, or social pressure, those who act with conviction and purpose remain unmoved. Dante’s words continue to inspire a model of character that does not bend with every wind, encouraging us to root our actions in principle rather than impulse.
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