Bede Quotes
Bede, called the Venerable, was an English Benedictine monk, scholar, and the most learned writer of the early medieval West. From the age of seven he lived at the joint monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow in Northumbria, where he produced a vast body of biblical commentary, scientific writing on chronology and natural phenomena, hagiography, and history. The quotes below are attributed to Bede, organized by topic.
Browse Bede by topic
Bede on Death
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“Dicunt quia die quadam cum, advenientibus nuper mercatoribus, multa venalia in forum fuissent conlata, multi ad emendum confluxissent, et ipsum Gregorium inter alios advenisse, ac vidisse inter alia pueros venales positos candidi corporis ac venusti vultus, capillorum quoque forma egregia. Quos cum adspiceret interrogavit, ut aiunt, de qua regione vel terra essent adlati. Dictumque est quia de Britannia insula, cuius incolae talis essent aspectus.”
It is said that one day, when some merchants had lately arrived at Rome, many things were exposed for sale in the market place, and much people resorted thither to buy: Gregory himself went with the rest, and saw among other wares some boys' put up for sale, of fair complexion, with pleasing countenances, and very beautiful hair. When he beheld them, he asked, it is said, from what region or count -
“Before the dread journey which needs must be taken No man is more mindful than meet is and right To ponder, ere hence he departs, what his spirit Shall, after the death-day, receive as its portion Of good or of evil, by mandate of doom.”
A. S. Cook & C. B. Tinker, Select Translations from Old English Poetry (1902), p. 78
Bede on God
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Attributed to Bede:
“Better learning lit by faith than learning that knows no God.”
Bede on Knowledge
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Attributed to Bede:
“It is better to teach the ignorant than to remain silent.”
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“Rursus ergo interrogavit quod esset vocabulum gentis illius. Responsum est quod Angli vocarentur. At ille: "Bene", inquit, "nam et angelicam habent faciem et tales angelorum in caelis decet esse cohaeredes. Quod habet nomen ipsa provincia, de qua isti sunt adlati?" Responsum est quod Deiri vocarentur idem provinciales. At ille: "Bene", inquit, "Deiri; de ira eruti, et ad misericordiam Christi vocati. Rex provinciae illius quomodo apellatur?" Responsum est quod Aelli diceretur. At ille adludens ad nomen ait: "Alleluia, laudem Dei creatoris illis in partibus oportet cantari.”
He therefore again asked, what was the name of that nation? and was answered, that they were called Angles. "Right," said he, "for they have an angelic face, and it is meet that such should be co-heirs with the Angels in heaven. What is the name of the province from which they are brought?" It was replied, that the natives of that province were called Deiri. "Truly are they De ira ," said he," sav -
“Tanta eo tempore pax in Britannia fuisse perhibetur, ut, sicut usque hodie in proverbio dicitur, etiamsi mulier una cum recens nato parvulo vellet totam perambulare insulam a mari ad mare, nullo se laedente valeret.”
It is told that there was then such perfect peace in Britain, wheresoever the dominion of King Edwin extended, that, as is still proverbially said, a woman with her new-born babe might walk throughout the island, from sea to sea, without receiving any harm. Book II, chapter 16 -
“Fore there neidfaerae • naenig uuiurthit thoncsnotturra • than him tharf sie to ymbhycggannae • aer his hiniongae huaet his gastae • godaes aeththa yflaes aefter deothdaege • doemid uueorthae.”
Northumbrian (Early Anglian) (9th century) — St. Gall MS. 254, p.253, f.127 -
“Northumbrian (Early Anglian) (9th century) — St. Gall MS. 254, p.253, f.127”
Fore there neidfaerae • naenig uuiurthit thoncsnotturra • than him tharf sie to ymbhycggannae • aer his hiniongae huaet his gastae • godaes aeththa yflaes aefter deothdaege • doemid uueorthae. -
“For þam nedfere • næni wyrþeþ þances snotera, • þonne him þearf sy to gehicgenne • ær his heonengange hwæt his gaste • godes oþþe yfeles æfter deaþe heonon • demed weorþe.”
West Saxon (Early Saxon) (12th century) — Linc. Coll. Ox. MS. Lat. 31 -
“West Saxon (Early Saxon) (12th century) — Linc. Coll. Ox. MS. Lat. 31”
For þam nedfere • næni wyrþeþ þances snotera, • þonne him þearf sy to gehicgenne • ær his heonengange hwæt his gaste • godes oþþe yfeles æfter deaþe heonon • demed weorþe.
Bede on Politics
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“It is told that there was then such perfect peace in Britain, wheresoever the dominion of King Edwin extended, that, as is still proverbially said, a woman with her new-born babe might walk throughout the island, from sea to sea, without receiving any harm. Book II, chapter 16”
Tanta eo tempore pax in Britannia fuisse perhibetur, ut, sicut usque hodie in proverbio dicitur, etiamsi mulier una cum recens nato parvulo vellet totam perambulare insulam a mari ad mare, nullo se laedente valeret.
Bede on Time
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Attributed to Bede:
“Time is what the wise measure carefully and the foolish waste.”
Bede on Virtue
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Attributed to Bede:
“Better the simple brother who, doing the good he knows, gains heaven, than the learned one who knows much and lives ill.”
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Attributed to Bede:
“He who reads the lives of the saints kindles his own soul.”