"Through me the way is to the city dolent; Through me the way is to eternal dole; Through me the way among the people lost. Justice incited my subli… - Dante Alighieri

All hope abandon, ye who enter here.

Before me there were no created things, Only eternity, and I too, last eternal. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!

Justice incited my sublime Creator;
Created me divine Omnipotence,
The highest Wisdom and the primal Love.
Before me there were no created things,
Only eterne, and I eternal last.

There is no greater sorrow
than thinking back upon a happy time
in misery —

L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle.

It treats of the most universal values — good and evil, man’s responsibility, free will and predestination; yet it is intensely personal and political, for it was written out of the anguish of a man who saw his life blighted by the injustice and corruption of his times.