Saint Patrick’s Day quotes are often used as toasts, blessings, and greetings because they convey messages of good health, good luck, the love of God, and the joy of being Irish. St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the patron saint of Ireland who did a number of things, but mostly, changed the face of a country he was not even a citizen of. Thus, on Saint Patrick’s Day, we all get to be adopted in and be Irish for the day. Here are some quotes that help epitomize some of the works of St. Patrick:
The list of Irish saints is past counting; but in it all no other figure is so human, friendly, and lovable as St. Patrick – who was an Irishman only by adoption. –Stephen Gwynn
Drove the snakes into the sea with the power of God:
Legend has it that St. Patrick used the power of God to rid the land of Ireland from the serpents, both literally and figuratively, as the serpent is often the symbol used to represent Satan or the devil.
There’s ne’er a mile in Ireland’s Isle where the dirty vermin musters;
Where’er he put his dear forefoot he murdered them in clusters.
The toads went hop, the frogs went flop, slapdash into the water,
And the beasts committed suicide to save themselves from slaughter.
~Old Irish Song
Oh, while a man may dream awake,
On gentle Irish ground,
‘Tis Paradise without the snake –
That’s easy to be found.
~Frederick Langbridge
With the frost he kindled fire;
Drove the snakes from brake and brier,
Hurling out the writhing brood
With the lightning of his rood.
~Edwin Markham
Made the shamrock lucky:
St. Patrick determined the shamrock would be the symbol to represent the God head, and the 4-leaf clover was lucky because the fourth leaf was the bestowing or gift of the grace of God on the finder.
If you hold a four-leaf shamrock in your left hand at dawn on St. Patrick’s Day you get what you want very much but haven’t wished for. ~Patricia Lynch
The shamrock on an older shore
Sprang from a rich and sacred soil
Where saint and hero lived of yore,
And where their sons in sorrow toil.
~Maurice Francis Egen
A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have. ~Author Unknown
Many an opportunity is lost because a man is out looking for four-leaf clovers. –Unknown
He loved the people.
It is said that St. Patrick brought a lot to the country of Ireland, helping them preserve their history from being able to read, and bringing people to God by spreading Christianity and ridding the country of Druids. This last quote will help summarize how many people feel about the role of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland:
May luck be our companion
May friends stand by our side
May history remind us all
Of Ireland’s faith and pride.
May God bless us with happiness
May love and faith abide.
~Irish Blessing