Lesya Ukrainka's best-known lines
The top 3 according to 3 votes from people: The earth is not hell, people are not damned, and joy is not a sin but a gift from God. · There is no honour in attacking from behind. · From the hands of death people receive immortality.. (Updated Jun 1, 2026.)
"Contra spem spero!", "Who told you I am weak…" and "Word, my only weapon": lines and sayings by the Ukrainian poet Lesya Ukrainka (1871–1913) that have become proverbial, with the work they come from where known.
Automatically translated (original in Українська). See the original
Top 14
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1
The earth is not hell, people are not damned, and joy is not a sin but a gift from God.
From Lesya Ukrainka's works (as collected in Wikiquote).
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2
There is no honour in attacking from behind.
From Lesya Ukrainka's works (as collected in Wikiquote).
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3
From the hands of death people receive immortality.
From Lesya Ukrainka's works (as collected in Wikiquote).
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4
Contra spem spero! I hope without hope!
Poem "Contra spem spero!" (1890).
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5
No, I want to laugh through tears, / to sing songs in the midst of misfortune, / to hope without hope, / I want to live! Away, sad thoughts!
Poem "Contra spem spero!" (1890).
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6
Who told you that I am weak, that I bow to fate? Does my hand tremble, or are my song and thought feeble?
From Lesya Ukrainka's works (as collected in Wikiquote).
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7
Word, why are you not hardened steel / that sparkles so brightly in battle?
Poem "Word, why are you not hardened steel…" (1896).
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8
Word, you are my only weapon!
Poem "Word, why are you not hardened steel…" (1896).
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9
Above all elders, truth is the eldest.
From Lesya Ukrainka's works (as collected in Wikiquote).
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10
Rights without duties are tyranny.
From Lesya Ukrainka's works (as collected in Wikiquote).
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11
Beauty is the striving for perfection.
From Lesya Ukrainka's works (as collected in Wikiquote).
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12
Humour makes the best impression when delivered in a serious tone.
From Lesya Ukrainka's works (as collected in Wikiquote).
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13
All are women when they love.
From Lesya Ukrainka's works (as collected in Wikiquote).
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14
People and generations are only links in the great chain of universal life, and that chain cannot break.
From Lesya Ukrainka's works (as collected in Wikiquote).
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