Francis of Assisi: He Owns Nothing

Posted by admin on Thursday, September 26, 2019

Francis of Assisi Money Quote saying those without belongings or money cannot be harmed or defamed. Francis of Assisi said:
 

 

“What could you do to a man who owns nothing? You can’t starve a fasting man, you can’t steal from someone who has no money, you can’t ruin someone who hates prestige” — Francis of Assisi

 

 

In this quote, Francis of Assisi is conveying the inner strength and independence that can come from living a life of voluntary poverty and simplicity. By willingly owning nothing, fasting regularly, and being unattached to money or prestige, Francis suggests one is essentially “ruin-proof” – they cannot truly be harmed, controlled or ruined by outside forces in the same way those reliant on worldly possessions can be.

The quote reflects Francis’ philosophical and spiritual belief that by freeing oneself from material attachments through poverty, one gains a form of freedom since they cannot be manipulated, blackmailed or have their livelihood destroyed through targeting their wealth, hunger or ego. Overall, Francis viewed non-attachment as empowering through rendering one’s well-being independent of external control or circumstances.

Birthday: c. 1181 – October 3, 1226