Nezahualcoyotl

Nezahualcoyotl (1402 - 1472) was a scholar, philosopher (tlamatini), warrior, architect, poet and ruler (tlatoani) of the city-state of Texcoco in pre-Columbian era Mexico. He is best remembered for his poetry. Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxóchitl and Juan Bautista Pomar, his descendants and biographers, said he had an experience of an "Unknown, Unknowable Lord of Everywhere" to whom he built an entirely empty temple. No blood sacrifices of any kind were allowed in that temple.

Wisdom & Quotes

• What does your mind seek?

Where is your heart?
If you give your heart to each and every thing,
You lead it nowhere; you destroy your heart.
Can anything be found on earth?
- Colleccion de Canteres Mexicanos

• Truly do we live on earth?

Not forever on earth; only a little while here.
Although it be jade, it will be broken,
Although it be gold, it is crushed,
Although it be quetzal feather, it is torn asunder.
Not forever on earth; only a little while here.
- Colleccion de Canteres Mexicanos

• Banish care. If there be bounds to pleasure, the saddest life must also have an end. Then weave your wreath of flowers, and sings your songs in praise of the all-powerful God; for the glory of this world soon fades away. Rejoice in the green freshness of your spring, for the day will come when you shall sigh for these joys in vain.

Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui