inferno-canto III

Virgil leads Dante up to the Gate of Hell. There they see a rather depressing sign,  “ABANDON ALL HOPE, YOU WHO ENTER HERE.” Virgil does tell Dente that Charon really didn't want to ferry him, which is a good sign because Charon only transports damned souls across the river. Perhaps things are not completely doomed. 

Here you must renounce your slightest doubt and kill your every weakness. Leave behind all thoughts of safety first or be shut out