I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of all the faithful and despised in the eyes of many.
Never trust a dog to watch your food.
Daily I expect to be murdered or betrayed or reduced to slavery if the occasion arises. But I fear nothing, because of the promises of heaven.
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
For after chastisement from God, and recognizing him, our way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonders before every nation under heaven.
I am Patrick, yes a sinner and indeed untaught; yet I am established here in Ireland where I profess myself bishop. I am certain in my heart that ‘all that I am,’ I have received from God. So I live among barbarous tribes, a stranger and exile for the love of God.
I am certain in my heart that all that I am, I have received from God.
The Lord opened the understanding of my unbelieving heart, so that I should recall my sins.
If I be worthy, I live for my God to teach the heathen, even though they may despise me.
That which I have set out in Latin is not my words but the words of God and of apostles and prophets, who of course have never lied. He who believes shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be damned. God has spoken.
If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God...
No one should ever say that it was my ignorance if I did or showed forth anything however small according to God’s good pleasure; but let this be your conclusion and let it so be thought, that – as is the perfect truth – it was the gift of God.
I pray to God to give me perseverance and to deign that I be a faithful witness to Him to the end of my life for my God.
I am not ignorant of what is said of my Lord in the Psalm: “You destroy those who speak a lie.” And again: “A lying mouth deals death to the soul.” And likewise the Lord says in the Gospel: “On the day of judgment men shall render account for every idle word they utter.”
Sufficient to say, greed is a deadly deed. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
So I live among barbarous tribes, a stranger and exile for the love of God.
He who believes shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be damned. God has spoken.
I grieve for you, how I mourn for you, who are so very dear to me, but again I can rejoice within my heart, not for nothing have I labored, neither has my exile been in vain.
Before I was humiliated I was like a stone that lies in deep mud, and he who is mighty came and in his compassion raised me up and exalted me very high and placed me on the top of the wall.
I am imperfect in many things, nevertheless I want my brethren and kinsfolk to know my nature so that they may be able to perceive my soul’s desire.