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Mahmoud Darwish Quotes

Poet

Mahmoud Darwish was a renowned Lebanese poet known for his profound poetry and strong nationalist sentiments. His works extensively explored the sufferings and hopes of the Palestinian people, profoundly influencing Middle Eastern literature.

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All Poetry Palestine Homeland Poet Ifs Desire Israel Language Palestinian People Beautiful Darkness Darwish Dream Hands Mural Two Activism Inspiration Believe Body

Famous Mahmoud Darwish Quotes

“If you live, live free or die like the trees, standing up.”

Ifs Dies Tree Standing Live Free

Author:Mahmoud Darwish

“If the Olive Trees knew the hands that planted them, Their Oil would become Tears.”

Ifs Hands Tree Tears Oil Olives Olive Trees

Author:Mahmoud Darwish

“We are captives, even if our wheat grows over the fences/ and swallows rise from our broken chains./ We are captives of what we love, what we desire, and what we are.”

Ifs Desire Grows Broken Chains Fence Wheat Captives

Book:Unfortunately, it was Paradise: Selected Poems

Source: Unfortunately, it was Paradise: Selected Poems

“We have to understand - not justify - what gives rise to this tragedy. It's not because they're looking for beautiful virgins in heaven, as Orientalists portray it. Palestinian people are in love with life. If we give them hope - a political solution - they'll stop killing themselves.”

People Ifs Giving Beautiful Political Heaven Solutions Tragedy Killing Love Life Justify Palestinian Virgins

Author:Mahmoud Darwish

“Sometimes I feel as if I am read before I write. When I write a poem about my mother, Palestinians think my mother is a symbol for Palestine. But I write as a poet, and my mother is my mother. She's not a symbol.”

Ifs Thinking Feels Writing Sometimes Mother Poet Symbols Palestinian Palestine

Author:Mahmoud Darwish

About the Author

Born: March 13, 1941
Died: August 9, 2008
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 85

Books & Sources

Unfortunately, it was Paradise: Selected PoemsRelated source material

MuralRelated source material

A River Dies of Thirst: JournalsRelated source material

In the Presence of AbsenceRelated source material

Absent PresenceRelated source material

Journal of an Ordinary GriefRelated source material

Memory for Forgetfulness: August, Beirut, 1982Related source material

في حضرة الغيابRelated source material

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