Anyone that knows me or has spent much time at MaidOfHeaven.com understands how much I revere the actual words that St. Joan of Arc spoke while she was alive. There is something almost magical about some of her quotes and I love to re-read them from time to time to feel closer to her. Unfortunately, not everyone respects St. Joan as I do as many of her famous quotes have been distorted and used improperly. One distorted quote that I see quite frequently on the internet is: "I am not afraid ... I was born to do this." The actual words that Joan spoke from which this quote was derived were: “I do not fear the soldiers, for my road is made open to me; and if the soldiers come, I have God, my Lord, who will know how to clear the route that leads to messire the Dauphin. It was for this that I was born!"
The big problem I have with the new version is the removal of what to Joan would have been the most important part: God. Saint Joan of Arc knew exactly what the source of her strength was and she always gave credit to God for everything that she accomplished in her life. I therefore think the proper derivation of Joan’s words in this instance would be:
"I am not afraid because God is with me. I was born for this!"
My new version is much truer to Joan’s original words and one that I hope will eventually supplant the false version as more people learn the truth about who St. Joan of Arc really was.
Vive la Jehanne!
I like your version much better. I saw where a porn star had a tatoo with the other version on her body and was disgusted that she would be using a quote from St. Joan in such a way. I should have realized it was not an accurate quote. What a laugh to think of her with the real quote.
ReplyDeleteYes, I know about the “porn star” with the tattoo and was also disgusted when I heard about it. Saint Joan had no tolerance for the whores that followed her army and thwarted her efforts to lead her soldiers toward lives of purity and devotion to God. I am sure she would be none to happy about a whore in today’s world attempting to use her words in such a way. Thankfully the tattooed quote is not really a Joan of Arc quote.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Ben! I always thought it was the former, just when I was about to post it, I clarified it was true to form. Thank you! Will be sharing on my blog tomorrow! :) www.myjolovka.blogspot.com
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