Pope Urban II

Launched the First Crusade

Medieval influential 136 sayings

Sayings by Pope Urban II

Let those who for a long time, have been robbers, now become knights.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, delivered to initiate the First Crusade.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Let those who for a long time, have been robbers, now become knights.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, delivered to initiate the First Crusade.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

Let those who have been fighting against their brothers and relatives now fight in a proper way against the barbarians.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, urging knights to redirect their violence towards non-Christians.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Let those who have been serving as mercenaries for small pay now obtain the eternal reward.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, promising spiritual benefits for participating in the Crusade.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Let those who have been serving as mercenaries for small pay now obtain the eternal reward.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, promising spiritual benefits for participating in the Crusade.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, promising indulgences for crusaders.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, promising indulgences for crusaders.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

For if He, shall find worms, that is, sins, In them, because you have been negligent in your duty, He will command them as worthless to be thrown into the abyss of unclean things.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, warning negligent clergy about divine punishment.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

For if He, shall find worms, that is, sins, In them, because you have been negligent in your duty, He will command them as worthless to be thrown into the abyss of unclean things.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, warning negligent clergy about divine punishment.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

What shall I say of the appalling violation of women, of which it is more evil to speak than to keep silent?

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, alluding to atrocities committed by the Turks.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

What shall I say of the appalling violation of women, of which it is more evil to speak than to keep silent?

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, alluding to atrocities committed by the Turks.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

You are called shepherds; see that you do not act as hirelings. But be true shepherds, with your crooks always in your hands. Do not go to sleep, but guard on all sides the flock committed to you. For if through your carelessness or negligence a wolf carries away one of your sheep, you will surely lose the reward laid up for you with God. And after you have been bitterly scourged with remorse for your faults-, you will be fiercely overwhelmed in hell, the abode of death.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, admonishing bishops and clergy.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

You are called shepherds; see that you do not act as hirelings. But be true shepherds, with your crooks always in your hands. Do not go to sleep, but guard on all sides the flock committed to you. For if through your carelessness or negligence a wolf carries away one of your sheep, you will surely lose the reward laid up for you with God. And after you have been bitterly scourged with remorse for your faults-, you will be fiercely overwhelmed in hell, the abode of death.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, admonishing bishops and clergy.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

Let no attachment to your native soil be an impediment, because…all the world is exile to the Christian, and all the world his country: thus exile is his country, and his country exile.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, urging people to leave their homes for the Crusade.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Let no attachment to your native soil be an impediment, because…all the world is exile to the Christian, and all the world his country: thus exile is his country, and his country exile.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, urging people to leave their homes for the Crusade.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

Let those who have been exhausting themselves to the detriment both of body and soul now strive for a twofold reward.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, promising rewards for participating in the Crusade.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Let those who have been exhausting themselves to the detriment both of body and soul now strive for a twofold reward.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, promising rewards for participating in the Crusade.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

Oh, how admirable is that salting! Truly, you must strive by the salt of wisdom to correct these foolish people, hastening open-mouthed after the pleasures of this world, lest putrefied by sins and unsalted, they may be a stench in the nostrils when the Lord wills on some future day to address them.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, using vivid imagery to describe sinful people and the role of the…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Oh, how admirable is that salting! Truly, you must strive by the salt of wisdom to correct these foolish people, hastening open-mouthed after the pleasures of this world, lest putrefied by sins and unsalted, they may be a stench in the nostrils when the Lord wills on some future day to address them.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, using vivid imagery to describe sinful people and the role of the…
Strange & Unusual Disputed

Gird yourselves, everyone of you, I say, and be valiant sons; for it is better for you to die in battle than to behold, the sorrows of your race and of your holy places. Let neither property nor the alluring charms of your wives entice you frol going; nor let the trials that are to be borne so deter you that you remain here.

1095 — Speech at the Council of Clermont, exhorting men to join the Crusade.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable