Abbé Pierre Quotes, born Henri Grouès in Lyon, France, was a French Catholic priest, Resistance hero, and founder of the Emmaus movement, dedicated to aiding the homeless and poor. A Capuchin monk turned parliamentarian, he championed social justice, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi. His 1954 radio appeal sparked a national movement against poverty in France, earning him global recognition. His books, like Testament, reflect his faith and activism.
These 15 quotes—sourced from his speeches, writings, and interviews—illuminate his call to action, love, and solidarity, capturing his fierce, compassionate spirit.
15 Abbé Pierre Quotes
- “It’s not enough to attend church and pray every Sunday; you have to act.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “A smile costs less than electricity, but gives much light.” (QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “What I would say to the young men and women who are beset by hopelessness and doubt is that they should go and see what is being done on the ground to fight poverty, not like going to the zoo but to take action, to open their hearts and their consciences.” (PictureQuotes.com, n.d.)
- “The greatest sin of our time is not taking poverty seriously.” (Bookey.app, 2023)
- “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” (Bookey.app, 2023)
- “The question I asked Georges has now become a general one—You, who thought you were superfluous, who thought there was no place for you in society, not only are you not superfluous, you are needed and so those who were beggars become givers.” (Quotes.net, n.d.)
- “Our task is not to build a wall that separates us from others, but to build a bridge that connects us.” (Bookey.app, 2023)
- “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” (Bookey.app, 2023)
- “With all the money in the world, we cannot make men, but with men who love, we can do anything.” (mon-poeme.fr, n.d.)
- “Live, that is to learn to love.” (mon-poeme.fr, n.d.)
- “The hell is the loneliness of the one who has absurdly wanted to be self-sufficient.” (mon-poeme.fr, n.d.)
- “We have as much need of reasons for living as of the necessities of life.” (mon-poeme.fr, n.d.)
- “When you suffer, whoever you are, to love, for me, is to feel pain and not to weep, but to let all the strength I have rise up, to fight with you and heal us together from your pain that has become mine.” (mon-poeme.fr, 1990)
- “It’s true that humanity has seen a succession of crises, wars and atrocities, but this negative side is offset by advances in technology and cultural exchanges.” (AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “The power is made, not to serve the power of the happy, but for the deliverance of those who suffer unjustly.” (Post on X, @coherence_e, 2019-07-06)
Abbé Pierre’s quotes radiate a fierce call to love through action, a deep compassion for the marginalized, and an unwavering fight against indifference, inspiring us to serve others, bridge divides, and live with purpose. His legacy, from founding Emmaus to advocating for the poor, celebrated in posts found on X for its timeless urgency, urges us to transform suffering into solidarity. Which quote moves you to act or open your heart? Share it in the comments and keep Abbé Pierre’s compassionate legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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