Controversial Sayings

Therefore, I exhort and implore you—not I, but the Lord—to go as soldiers of Christ.

Let us avenge the injuries of God.

All who are burdened with debt and wish to escape it, let them join this holy expedition.

You should not be detained by any love of your ancestral soil, for this land which you inhabit is barren and stony.

The land of the Saracens is fertile and rich.

Let those who have been hired as mercenaries for trivial pay, now earn an eternal reward.

Let those who have been for a long time plunderers, now become Christian knights.

The kingdom of the Greeks is already dismembered by them.

Go, therefore, with confidence to the battle of the Lord, knowing that He is with you.

Let this be your war-cry in battle: 'God wills it! God wills it!'

Let no one who has entered upon this pilgrimage turn back.

Those who have made a vow to go to Jerusalem, let them fulfill it as soon as possible.

We grant to them, by the power of God, absolution for all their sins.

Let those who have been accustomed to fight for a little gain against Christians, now fight for an eternal reward against the infidels.

Let the rich help the poor, and the poor help the rich.

We command all of you to prepare yourselves for the journey.

The land of promise, which the Lord gave to the children of Israel, is now occupied by the enemies of Christ.

Let no one imagine that this expedition is for the sake of plunder, but for the remission of sins.

Go forth, therefore, and cleanse the Holy Sepulchre from the wicked race.

Let the aged and the infirm remain at home, but let the young and strong go forth.