“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.”
- c. 1412 – May 30, 1431
- French
- Military leader, Martyr, Saint of the Roman Catholic Church
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Quote
“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.”
Explanation
In this quote, Joan of Arc acknowledges a political truce between King Charles VII and the Duke of Burgundy, two major players in the complex web of alliances during the Hundred Years’ War. However, she introduces a tone of caution and realism by stating that despite official agreements, she does not expect swift entry into Paris. Her words reflect a seasoned awareness of political maneuvering and the unreliability of such truces, even when sanctioned by royalty.
Joan’s military campaigns had brought her to the gates of Paris, yet political diplomacy often hindered the momentum she had built. The Duke of Burgundy, though engaged in talks, had his own interests and alliances, making any promised surrender of Paris far from certain. Joan’s skepticism reveals that she was not only a mystic and warrior, but also a shrewd observer of human nature and political realities. She understood that faith in divine mission must be balanced with worldly caution.
In contemporary terms, this quote speaks to the need for pragmatism in leadership and activism. Even when agreements appear promising on paper, real-world conditions often delay or obstruct progress. Joan’s words remind us that hope must be tempered with vigilance, and that trust, especially in matters involving power and compromise, must be earned through action, not merely words.
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