Thomas Becket
Title: Saint Thomas Becket
AKA: Thomas of London, Thomas à Becket, and Saint Thomas of Canterbury
Birthdate: c. 1118
Birthplace: Cheapside, London, England, United Kingdom
Date of Death: December 29, 1170
Occupation: Bishop and Politician
Profile: Archbishop of Canterbury (1162–70). Murdered in 1170.
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Becket
Number of Quotes: 33
Between the uprightness of my conscience and the hardness of my lot, I know not how either to show respect to my feelings or to the
times. The bitterness of my mind urges me at all hazards to speak what I think, whereas the necessity of the times prompts me, however
unbecomingly, to keep silence. Good God! Which way shall I turn myself?
Could I anticipate the enmity of those for whom I encountered such opposition? If they had been willing, I should
have gained the victory. But the head faints when it is abandoned by the other members. If they had been wise they would
have seen that in attacking me they were attacking their own privileges and serving princes to their own servitude.
Do you not know that the largest trees, which have required years to grow, are cut down in one hour? It is foolish to look for their fruits and
yet to be unprepared for their fall. Let it be your consolation, then, that God's
enemies, however honorable and exalted they may have been, shall nevertheless fade away like the smoke.
For the Name of Jesus and
the protection of the Church I am ready to embrace death.
Recorded by Edward Grim, an eyewitness to Becket's martyrdom in 1170.
How carefully would I atone, if I might, for the time I have lost!
I accept death for the name of Jesus and for the Church.
From Grim's account of Becket's final words during his assassination.
I am ready to die for my Lord, that
in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.
I was called before the king's tribunal like a layman and was deserted in the quarter where I had looked for
support. My brethren, the bishops, sided with the court and were ready to pronounce judgment against me.
In truth, we have delayed to pass sentence on the person of our lord the king, waiting, if perhaps he may,
by God's grace, repent; but we will pass it ere long unless he does repent.
It is important that the Church of London, which has now lost its ruler, should receive for its new bishop a man whose personal
merit, attainments in learning, and prudence in managing public business shall not be unworthy of the dignity of that see.
Let it be your care to guard the rights of the Church... For it is better to perish in body than to allow the laws of the Heavenly King to be violated.
From letters written by Becket to
fellow clergy, emphasizing his commitment to ecclesiastical independence.
Many are needed to plant and water what has been planted now that the faith has spread so far and there are so many
people... No matter who plants or waters, God gives
no harvest unless what is planted is the faith of Peter and unless he agrees to his teachings.
My beloved brethren, why do you not rise together with me against the malignants? Why do you not stand up with me to oppose those who work
iniquity? Do you not know how that God will scatter the bones of those who strive
to oppress Him? They shall be confounded, because the Lord hath despised them.
My hopes are laid up within my own bosom, for he is not alone with whom the Lord is;
when he falls, he shall not be dashed to pieces, for the Lord sustains him in his hand.
Remember the sufferings of Christ,
the storms that were weathered... the crown that came from those sufferings which gave new radiance to the faith... All saints
give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown.
The Church of Christ is constituted in two
orders, the clergy and the people, the one having the care of the Church that all may be ruled for the salvation of souls; the other
contains kings, princes, and nobles who have to carry on secular government that all things may lead to the peace and unity of the Church.
The king is so subtle with his words that he would confound the apostolic religion itself. He
will find the weak points of the pope's character and will trip him up to his destruction.
The king, you say, desires to do what is right. My clergy are banished, my
possessions are taken from me, the sword hangs over my neck. Do you call this right?
The more I loved the king, the more I opposed his injustice until his brow fell lowering upon me. He
heaped calumny after calumny on my head, and I chose to be driven out rather than to subscribe.
The peace of the Church has always been my sole object; I have desired the liberty of the Church, and for that I am prepared to die.
Found in correspondence with Pope Alexander III, reflecting his resolve during his conflict with Henry II.
The rashness of the persecutor hath overspread the rights of the persecuted so that punishment is awarded to him
that has gained the victory, the inglorious triumphs, and the man who deserved bonds has carried off the prize.
There has been no satisfaction, and I will not absolve them.
Those who tread among serpents, and along a tortuous path, must use the cunning of the serpent.
Thou knowest how long and loyally I served the king in his worldly affairs. For that cause, it pleased him to promote me to the office which now I hold. When I
consented, it was for the sake of the king alone. When I was elected, I was formally acquitted of my responsibilities for all that I had done as a chancellor.
To Him I look as my judge,
to Him as the avenger of my wrongs, firm in my own good
conscience and secure in the sincerity of my devotion, rooted in faith and confident that those who in the love of justice suffer injury
can never be confounded, nor those who break the horns of the persecutors of the Church be deprived of their everlasting reward.
Until they make satisfaction to the Church, I cannot absolve them.
Spoken in defiance of bishops who supported Henry II's encroachments on Church authority.
Wait the end with joy. It is the end which characterizes everything and which tests a man's expectations.
We know that no trust can be placed on princes and that cursed is the man who placeth his reliance on an arm of flesh.
We ought to obey God rather than men.
A biblical reference (Acts 5:29) used
by Becket to justify his resistance to secular interference in Church matters.
When is constancy required, except under persecution. Are not friends then proved? If
they always yield, how can they ever succeed? They must, one time or other, make a stand.
Who shall resist Anti-Christ when
he comes if we show such patience towards the vices and crimes of his precursors? By such leniency, we encourage kings to become
tyrants and tempt them to withdraw every privilege and all jurisdiction from the Churches.
Whosoever wisely examines the works of God will
speedily discover what is next to be done.
With shame be it spoken: by her fall, the Church's liberties have been sacrificed for the sake of temporal advantages. The road to her ruin lay through the
sinuous paths of riches: she has been prostituted in the streets to princes; she has conceived iniquity and will bring forth oppression to the undeserving.
Last on Earth
