Joan of Arc Quotes Proverbs, and Aphorisms
- c. 1412 – May 30, 1431
- French
- Military leader, Martyr, Saint of the Roman Catholic Church
Joan of Arc was a French peasant girl who became a national heroine and Catholic saint for her role in turning the tide of the Hundred Years’ War between France and England. Claiming divine guidance, she led French forces to pivotal victories—most notably at Orléans—inspiring morale and aiding the coronation of Charles VII. Captured by the Burgundians, she was handed over to the English and tried for heresy and witchcraft, ultimately burned at the stake in 1431 at age 19. Though condemned in her time, she was exonerated posthumously and canonized in 1920. Joan of Arc remains a powerful symbol of faith, courage, and national identity.
- “I would rather die than do something which I know to be a sin, or to be against God’s will.”
- “King of England, and you, duke of Bedford, who call yourself regent of the kingdom of France… settle your debt to the king of Heaven; return to the Maiden, who is envoy of the king of Heaven, the keys to all the good towns you took and violated in France.”
- “One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.”
- “I was in my thirteenth year when I heard a voice from God to help me govern my conduct. And the first time I was very much afraid.”
- “Since God had commanded it, it was necessary that I do it. Since God commanded it, even if I had a hundred fathers and mothers, even if I had been a King’s daughter, I would have gone nevertheless.”
- “Children say that people are hung sometimes for speaking the truth.”
- “It is true that the king has made a truce with the duke of Burgundy for fifteen days and that the duke is to turn over the city of Paris at the end of fifteen days. Yet you should not marvel if I do not enter that city so quickly.”
- “About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they’re just one thing.”
- “You say that you are my judge; I do not know if you are; but take good heed not to judge me ill, because you would put yourself in great peril.”
- “I am not afraid… I was born to do this.”
- “If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.”
- “Get up tomorrow early in the morning, and earlier than you did today, and do the best that you can. Always stay near me, for tomorrow I will have much to do and more than I ever had, and tomorrow blood will leave my body above the breast.”
- “Act, and God will act.”
- “Of the love or hatred God has for the English, I know nothing, but I do know that they will all be thrown out of France, except those who die there.”