Quotes from Francis of Assisi

Pure, holy simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the flesh.

Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.

Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love.

Holy wisdom confounds Satan and all his wickednesses.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial.

Where there is discord may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. Where there is despair, may we bring hope.

Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love.

If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.

It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look.

Grant me the treasure of sublime poverty: permit the distinctive sign of our order to be that it does not possess anything of its own beneath the sun, for the glory of your name, and that it have no other patrimony than begging.

Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that have received--only what you have given.

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.

Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.

Keep a clear eye toward life's end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God's creature. What you are in his sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received...but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.

Blessed is the servant who esteems himself no better when he is praised and exalted by people than when he is considered worthless, simple, and despicable; for what a man is before God, that he is and nothing more.

Spread the Gospel. If necessary, use words.

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.

What each man is in Your eyes, thus he is, and no more.

Where there is charity and wisdom there is neither fear nor ignorance. Where there is patience and humility there is neither anger nor worry.

God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me a right faith, a sure hope, a perfect charity, sense and knowledge, so that I may carry out your holy command.

Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.

You wanderer on the path! There is no path, only wandering".

A man sins who wishes to receive more from his neighbor than he is himself willing to give to the Lord God.

A man has only so much knowledge as he puts to work.