When you set out for Ithaca
I hope your road will be long,
Full of adventure, full of discovery.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To get there is your destiny.
But don't rush the journey.
It's better if it lasts for years,
so that you'll be old when you reach the island,
Wealthy with all you've gained along the way,
Not expecting Ithaca to make you rich.

Ithaca gave thee the wonderful voyage.
Through her alone you went out
Now she has nothing more to give you.

If you find her poor, Ithaca will not have deceived you.
So wise you will have become, so full of experience,
You will have understood by then what these Ithacas mean.