“Worldly fame is but a breath of wind that blows now this way, and now that, and changes name as it changes direction.”
- c. 1265 – September 14, 1321
- Italian
- Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Author of The Divine Comedy
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Quote
“Worldly fame is but a breath of wind that blows now this way, and now that, and changes name as it changes direction.”
Explanation
This quote is taken from Dante Alighieri’s Purgatorio, Canto XI, in The Divine Comedy. It is spoken by the soul of Oderisi da Gubbio, a once-famous illuminator, who reflects on the fleeting nature of earthly glory. In the original Italian: “Non è il mondan romore altro ch’un fiato di vento, ch’or vien quinci e or vien quindi, e muta nome perché muta lato.” Dante uses this metaphor to express the instability and emptiness of fame, which shifts as unpredictably as the wind.
The statement critiques human vanity and pride, particularly the desire for recognition and legacy. In the realm of Purgatory, where souls are learning humility, this line serves as a sobering reminder that the opinion of the world is fickle, and that true worth is measured not by temporal acclaim, but by moral and spiritual integrity. For Dante, fame that is not rooted in virtue is ultimately meaningless, as it depends on circumstances and public opinion rather than enduring truth.
This idea remains strikingly relevant in today’s celebrity- and image-driven culture, where reputation can be inflated or destroyed by fleeting trends or online attention. Social media fame, like the breath of wind Dante describes, can shift rapidly, leaving even the once-renowned in obscurity. His words challenge us to pursue substance over spectacle, and to value eternal virtues above temporary applause.
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