St. Patrick’s Day is a well known holiday celebrated around the world, where for one day everyone can eat, drink, and be Irish. So, let’s take a look at some famous St. Patrick’s Day quotes, and sayings, Irish blessing, and the rest:
The first is from St. Patrick himself, as he tried to bless the people of Ireland and lead them to Christianity, which is why he is the patron saint of Ireland: “May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore.”
St. Patrick’s Day was meant to be a religious holiday, but as so amply expressed by Charles M. Madigan “St. Patrick — one of the few saints whose feast day presents the opportunity to get determinedly whacked and make a fool of oneself all under the guise of acting Irish.”
Of course, many of the sayings from the Irish come from the decided opinion that being Irish is all that one should hope for. An old Irish saying goes, “There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish and those who wish they were.”
Of course there are many Irish sayings, and some of them are little ditties or rhymes, some are even put to music. Here are a few:
There are many good reasons for drinking,
One has just entered my head.
If a man doesn’t drink when he’s living,
How in the hell can he drink when he’s dead?
Or…
May the Good Lord take a liking to you… but not too soon!
St. Patrick’s Day is a day of feasting and drinking to celebrate the Christianity of Ireland. With the Christianity, Ireland has a great sense of humor. This particular quote demonstrates it well:
St. Patrick’s Day Toast
Here’s to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one
A pretty girl and an honest one
A cold beer – and another one!
Last, but not least, Irish are known for being lucky, and the symbol of that luck is the 4-leaf clover, the shamrock (or 3 leaf clover) was dedicated the symbol of the God head by St. Patrick himself, and the 4th leaf is lucky because it represents God’s grace, but as Daryl Stout said, “Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover? You don’t want to press your luck.” The ever astute Stanislaw J. Lec, then had the foresight to ask, “If a man who cannot count finds a four-leaf clover, is he lucky?”
Of course, you will hopefully find a 4 leaf clover regardless of you can count, and with it the luck it brings, capitulated by these lovely quotes:
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way –
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
Author Unknown
May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
An old Irish Blessing