Sean Connery reads ITHAKA | Powerful Life Poem by C.P.Cavafy

Ithaka presents the meaning of life, achieving one's goals, and taking on the ultimate journey to fulfill one's life pursuit. While you are on this journey, you will encounter many a stumbling block, but if you are steadfast in following your dreams, nothing will bother you.

Ithaka by C.P. Cavafy

As you set out for Ithaka
hope your journey is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
angry Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them:
you’ll never find things like that on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as a rare excitement
stirs your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
wild Poseidon—you won’t encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.

Hope your journey is a long one.
May there be many summer mornings when,
with what pleasure, what joy,
you enter harbors you’re seeing for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind—
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to learn and go on learning from their scholars.

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you’re destined for.
But don’t hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you’re old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.

Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you wouldn't have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.

[SmartGirlPhilippines]

May you see many beautiful Filipinas...

[MrDesertus]

Cavafy is one of my favorite poets... Connery is one of my favorite actors.. This video is perfect

[janeydoe]

We're taught this poem as teenagers in greek schools. I was always interested in the humanities and poetry even then, but the beautiful thing about this poem is that it touches everyone, regardless their interests. I remember even the most indifferent student, put effort to participate in this specific class...

[jjstuartonwriting]

To be honest, Sean Connery could read a grocery list and I'd be transfixed.

[stanstanley-sh]

Wow. I had no idea. What a loss to the world. RIP - Sean Connery.

[daisyl]

“Shyclops, angry Poshidons” love Sean Connery

[elenisiopi]

A life's philosophy in a few sentences. Can't hold my tears. Have a good journey my frienfs. May we all meet at Ithaka

[trenae]

Have never heard this poem before; I hope never to unhear it! Beautiful!!

[timobrien]

Ithaka was a very close family friends favorite poem. She passed on Feb 1st. I've known her since I can remember & I'm still close friends with her children. This poem fits her perfectly !!

[livetwice]

He knows not where he’s going, For the Ocean will decide, For it’s not the Destination, But the glory of the ride

[kausamsalam]

Such a lovely and beautiful reminder that we each have our personal journeys to make towards our own “Ithaka” —our Destiny.♥️
“But do not hurry the journey at all…not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.”🌻♥️

[puchululina]

I’m so moved by the poem and by Sean”s voice!

[jackjohnhameld]

I am a devoted reader of Cavafy : It is an experience to hear * Ithaka* read by the late Sir Sean Connery. Thank you.

[rondarawson]

Mr. Connery your voice was magnificent and I loved your acting...R.I.P. you were an amazing human being...😇❤💐🌺🌹⚘🌸🌺💐🌹🌼⚘🌺

[sonder]

Wow, it's so beautiful so inspiring. It's all about the process! End result is trivial.

[bealiberatore]

I met a wonderful guy who first introduced me to Ithaca. I cried when I heard the poem, so well recited by Sean. Bothremain in my memory.

[yadylorenalozanofloriano]

Nada es una casualidad, que poema mas hermoso e inspirador parto mi camino hacia Itaca. 🥰🥰🥰

[costassophocleous]

The clips have nothing to do with the poem . When Cavafy said “and then when you're old to stay on the island, wealthy with all you've gained on the way” ( 2:24 ) I’m pretty sure he wasn’t talking about two old tourists having a gondola ride in Venice.

[Sofronis]

A Big BRAVOOO from me a Caring GREEK, to Konstantinos Kavafis, our Greek Poet of 1920, to You, dear Publisher of this AudioVideo and to Sean Connery for his Esteem to this Greek Poem!!!
Fellow People, which I LOVE-RESPECT YOU ALL, Let us THINK-SEARCH-TALK-ACT for our PURPOSE in this MORTAL LIFE we were offered [by GOOD CREATOR-GOD of PURE LOVE for Me, Jesus Christ!]
and let's NOT get carried Αway by Superficial thoughts-talks-acts, which are NOT permanent but Mortal-Deperibile and HARM us!

MY PURPOSE.... is the ABSOLUTE-PURE-UNSTOPPABLE LOVE to My Body-Soul-Life-Job-Things, to EVERY Person next to me and to the WHOLEEE World, so that I offer the BEST I can for the COMMON GOOD, so that I STOP evil or Fight it as strong as I can... and feel-be ALWAYS HAPPY-FEARLESS-INVINCIBLE....IMMORTAL, with my Pray to My CREATOR-SAVIOR too!!!

Sofronis, a LOVING GREEK!

[catmom]

Sean Connery could read the yellow pages & I'd be happy.