St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most venerated religious figures in Christian history and is best known for his compassion, humility, and deep connection with the natural world. Here is the list of the most famous St. Francis of Assisi quotes that will inspire you to live a life filled with simplicity, service, and love for all creation.
Born in Assisi, Italy, in 1181, Francis of Assisi, in full Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone, was an itinerant preacher and Catholic friar who founded the Franciscans.
Despite having a privileged upbringing in a wealthy family, Francis chose to live a life of austerity and devotion to God.
His encounter with a leper and deep spiritual awakening that came from listening to the voice of God (Christ) led him to abandon his luxury of life for a life of faith and service to the poor.
Francis was well known for embracing a life of poverty and his love of nature and animals. He referred to animals as his brothers and sisters and saw all creation as the reflection of God’s love.
He is also remembered for his famous sermon to the birds and the making of the first nativity scene with real animals, showing how much he loved nature.
Francis of Assisi was more than just a saint, he was a true symbol of the power of prayer, love, and spiritual connection between humanity and nature.
His legacy continues to inspire people of all religions to live a life guided by empathy, compassion and service.
These inspirational St. Francis of Assisi quotes about nature, animals, spirituality, and humility from the man whose life was dedicated to love, peace, and harmony.
Top 10 St. Francis of Assisi Quotes
- “For it is in giving that we receive.” — Francis of Assisi
- “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.” —Francis of Assisi
- “The measure of love is to love without measure.” — St. Francis of Assisi
- “A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.” — Francis of Assisi
- “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” — Francis of Assisi
- “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Pure, holy simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the flesh.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” — Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi Quotes
- “Do few things but do them well, simple joys are holy.” — Francis of Assisi
- “True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.” — Francis of Assisi
- “The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.” — Francis of Assisi
- “While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” — Francis of Assisi
- “God requires that we assist the animals, when they need our help. Each being (human or creature) has the same right of protection.” — Francis of Assisi
- “It was easy to love God in all that was beautiful. The lessons of deeper knowledge, though, instructed me to embrace God in all things.” — Francis of Assisi
- “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.” — Francis of Assisi
Francis of Assisi Quotes
- “You are that which you are seeking.” — Francis of Assisi
- “The journey is essential to the dream.” — Francis of Assisi
- “The only thing achieved in life without effort is failure.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Do all you can to preach the gospel and if necessary use words!” — Francis of Assisi
- “He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” — Francis of Assisi
- “What is it that stands higher than words? Action. What is it that stands higher than action? Silence.” — Francis of Assisi
- “We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh. Rather, we must be simple, humble and pure.” — Francis of Assisi
- “We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.” — Francis of Assisi
- “No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves.” — Francis of Assisi
- “We should never desire to be over others. Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to every human being for God’s sake.” — Francis of Assisi
BestSaint Francis of Assisi Quotes
- “We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Spiritual joy arises from purity of the heart and perseverance in prayer.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.” — Francis of Assisi
- “It is not fitting, when one is in God’s service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Praise be you, my Lord, Mother Earth, who through our sister, sustains and governs us.” — Saint Francis of Assisi
- “Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith.” — Saint Francis of Assisi
- “Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” — Saint Francis of Assisi
- “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.” — Saint Francis of Assisi
- “O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” — Francis of Assisi
More Saint Francis of Assisi Quotes
- “You should never praise anyone until you see how he turns out in the end!” — Francis of Assisi
- “You can show your love to others by not wishing they were better Christians.” — Francis of Assisi
- “I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, He can work through anyone.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.” — Francis of Assisi
- “It would be considered a theft on our part if we didn’t give to someone in greater need than we are.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves so that He who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally.” — Francis of Assisi
- “Nor did demons crucify Him; it is you who have crucified Him and crucify Him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.” — Francis of Assisi
- “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.” — Francis of Assisi
- “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.” — Saint Francis of Assisi
More About St. Francis Of Assisi
Francis of Assisi was an Italian mystic, poet and Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans.
Born to a wealthy cloth merchant, Francis was a rich and spoiled young man. He enjoyed his time partying, drinking and indulging in the finest foods.
His life changed after he met a leaper on his way way back home from a military battle. He was drawn to help and kiss the leaper. Within moments the leaper disappeared making Francis realize that the leper was Christ.
After this, he decided to give up his luxurious life, his expensive belongings and the entrapments of his wealthy upbringing and adopted a life of radical poverty and penance, looking after the poor and sick of his community.
Francis’s consecration to poverty, charity, and personal charisma drew thousands of followers. His devotion to Jesus and desire to follow Jesus’ example brought profound developments in medieval spirituality.
Francis along with St. Catherine of Siena was designated the patron saints of Italy. He is also the patron saint of ecology and animals.
He died in 1226 below and outside of Assisi next to the little church of St. Mary of the Angels where he and his followers, whom he called the Lesser Brothers, lived lives of Gospel poverty and administered to the lepers who lived nearby.
Francis was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on 16 July 1228.
Hopefully, you enjoyed reading the above inspirational St. Francis of Assisi quotes.
Conclusion
What are your favorite St. Francis Of Assisi quotes and sayings listed above? If there is a quote that we’ve missed then let us know in the comments section what your thoughts are.
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