Francis of Assisi Quotes

We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen away, and to bring home those who have lost their way. Many who seem to us to be children of the Devil will still become Christ's disciples.

God could not have chosen anyone less qualified, or more of a sinner, than myself. And so, for this wonderful work He intends to perform through us, He selected me- for God always chooses the weak and the absurd, and those who count for nothing.

Grant me the treasure of sublime poverty.

Alms are an inheritance and a justice which is due to the poor and which Jesus has levied upon us.

Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.

The tree of love its roots hath spread Deep in my heart, and rears its head; Rich are its fruits: they joy dispense; Transport the heart, and ravish sense. In love's sweet swoon to thee I cleave, Bless'd source of love.

Make me an instrument of thy peace.

Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily. To lean upon Thy great strength, trustfully, restfully. To wait for the unfolding of Thy will, patiently, serenely. To meet others, peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously.

Water is the mirror of nature.

What is it that stands higher than words? Action. What is it that stands higher than action? Silence.

When we pray to God we must be seeking nothing - nothing.

A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.

Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.

The Lord called me by the way of simplicity and humility, and this way He hath shown me in truth for me and those who will believe and imitate me. And therefore I would that ye name not to me any rule, neither of St. Augustine, nor St. Benedict, nor of Bernard, nor any way or form of living, but that which was mercifully shown and given me by the Lord.

The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.

Where there is darkness, let there be light.

Study always to have Joy, for it befits not the servant of God to show before his brother or another sadness or a troubled face.

A promise is a child of the understanding and the will; the understanding begets it, the will brings it forth.

You can show your love to others by not wishing that they should be better Christians.

I have sinned against my brother the ass.

Where there is injury let me sow pardon.

Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them whenever they require it.

It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.

Don't change the world, change worlds.

May the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as honey, so absorb our hearts as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. Grant that we may be ready to die for love of your love, as you died for love of our love.

You should never praise anyone until you see how he turns out in the end!

Jesus is happy to come with us, as truth is happy to be spoken, as life to be lived, as light to be lit, as love is to be loved, as joy to be given, as peace to be spread.

Do not put off any longer confessing all your sins, for death will soon come. Give and it will be given you; forgive and you will be forgiven. . . Blessed are they who die repentant, for they shall go to the Kingdom of Heaven!

The brave unfortunate are our best acquaintance.

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist

What do you have to fear? Nothing. Whom do you have to fear? No one. Why? Because whoever has joined forces with God obtains three great privileges: omnipotence without power, intoxication without wine, and life without death.

Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin. Men lose all the material things they leave behind them in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these they will receive from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve.

We adore Thee most holy Lord Jesus Christ, here in all Thy Churches, which are in the whole world, because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world

The greatest security we can have in this world that we are in the grace of God, does not consist in the feelings that we have of love to Him, but rather in an irrevocable abandonment of our whole being into His hands, and in a firm resolution never to consent to any sin great or small.

Who we are looking for is who is looking.

The journey is essential to the dream.

All things of creation are children of the Father and thus brothers of man. ... God wants us to help animals, if they need help. Every creature in distress has the same right to be protected.

By the anxieties and worries of this life Satan tries to dull man's heart and make a dwelling for himself there.

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

No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves.

While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.

Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.

Nothing can tend so much to humble us before the mercy and justice of God as the consideration of His benefits and our own sins. Let us, then, consider what He has done for us, and what we have done against Him; let us call to mind our sins in detail, and His gracious benefits in like manner, remembering that whatever there is of good in us is not ours, but His, and then we need not be afraid of vainglory or of taking complacency in ourselves.

And in any preaching you do, admonish the people concerning repentance, and that nobody can be saved except he who receives the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord. And when It is sacrificed on the altar by the priest or borne anywhere, let all the people on bended knees render praise, glory and honor to the True and Living Lord God.

I therefore command all my Brothers, those living now and those to come in the future, to venerate the Holy Mother of God, whom we always implore to be our Protectress, to praise her at all times, in all circumstances of life, with all the means in their power and with the greatest devotion and submission.

Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves so that He who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally.

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