Quote attr. St. Jeanne d'Arc: Cannot find Source

[Chris258]

“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.”

This is a great quote, but I’m having a lot of trouble finding it it’s actually historical or not. The most helpful information I’ve found is that this quote is found in Act 3 of Maxwell Anderson’s play Joan of Lorraine. But perhaps this quote was taken or paraphrased from historical source material.

I was hoping I’d luck out and someone who happened to have seen historical material on St. Jeanne d’Arc would be lurking around.

 

[John21652]

From this web site site an enlarged quote is given - “I know this now. Every man gives his life for what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing yet they give their lives to that little or nothing. One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. And then it is gone. But to sacrifice what you are and live without belief, that’s more terrible than dying” One site I came across stated that they were her last words. The quote appears all over the internet on “quote” sites, but no references are given to any original sources whatsoever.

However, at this web site, which includes a translation from trial notes and observations of her execution, her last words were “Jesus Jesus Jesus” as a crucifix was held up before her. That site is the Saint Joan of Arc Centre based in Albuquerque, N.M. and it’s home page is here. Your quote is not listed.

If you go to this web site Maid of heaven which is a very comprehensive site dedicated to St. Joan, you can read her actual trial transcripts. The site also has a list of quotes attributed to her, and also states that her last words were “Jesus Jesus Jesus”. The supposed quote you are seeking information on is not listed.

So, on the basis of the little research that I have done, I would say that the claim that the ‘quote’ you have given us belongs to St. Joan is very, very doubtful.

 

[Chris258]

That’s a pity. But thank you very much for your trouble.

I’m sure I’ll be able to find many a great (and historical) word from the great saint on these sites you’ve linked.

 

[John21652]

That’s a pity. But thank you very much for your trouble.

I’m sure I’ll be able to find many a great (and historical) word from the great saint on these sites you’ve linked.

In a way, maybe, it’s a pity. However it is interesting how the quote is attributed to St. Joan on so very many web sites. They simply copy off one another without checking the sources. There is a lot of simple copying going on across the Internet and when you research something it always pays to try and check all the way to the original documents, if possible. The quote is a great sounding one and I still haven’t found where it originated from.

 

[Chris258]

True true.

I always try to make sure a quote I find is historical and find its source, especially so with the saints.

But you’re right, St. Jeanne’s words or not, it’s a great quote. I think in all likelihood it originated with Maxwell Anderson’s play Joan of Lorraine. You can search it in this Googlebooks version of the play.

 

[Vouthon]

I have also seen this quote pop up on many websites!

So is it fake? I really want to know. Its a cracking quote and if Bernard Shaw or Maxwell Andersson (his play is based on Shaw’s I think) came up with it then POWER TO THEM!

The author of it was clearly influenced by the moral of Joan’s life, and I think that she would have supported the sentiment behind it.

However I still would love to know of she saod this or not!

Shaws play I believe was based on her trial transcripts.