Jacques de Molay quotes

Jacques de Molay was the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, a powerful medieval Christian military order. His leadership marked the end of the Templars during a period of political intrigue and persecution. He became a symbol of loyalty and tragedy after being executed in Paris. Here are 3 of his quotes:

For we did not and do not wish the Temple to be placed in any servitude except that which is fitting.

Jacques de Molay

It is just that, in so terrible a day, and in the last moments of my life, I should discover all the iniquity of falsehood, and make the truth triumph. I declare, then, in the face of heaven and earth, and acknowledge, though to my eternal shame, that I have committed the greatest crimes but it has been the acknowledging of those which have been so foully charged on the order. I attest - and truth obliges me to attest - that it is innocent! I made the contrary declaration only to suspend the excessive pains of torture, and to mollify those who made me endure them. I know the punishments which have been inflicted on all the knights who had the courage to revoke a similar confession; but the dreadful spectacle which is presented to me is not able to make me confirm one lie by another. The life offered me on such infamous terms I abandon without regret.

Jacques de Molay