Not a documented saying of Francis. This is a line from an English version of the anonymous Peace Prayer, whose French text appeared in La Clochette in December 1912; the translator of this wording is unconfirmed.
“Where there is hatred, let me sow love” — Anonymous Peace Prayer, English translator unconfirmed; not written by Francis of Assisi.
⚠ The slide-ready mistake: crediting this to Francis of Assisi. Use the credit shown above instead.
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? We couldn’t verify where this wording comes from, so there’s no rights status to give. Safe to present as an unverified or anonymous line — just don’t assert a specific author or source.
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In context
Evoking the themes of love and kindness. Theme: "Where there is hatred, let me sow love". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
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Minimalist editorial slide for the quote "Where there is hatred, let me sow love". Clean background, a single muted accent color, generous negative space, subtle paper or linen texture, no literal illustration — let the words carry it. Reserve clear space for a serif quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
Provenance
The source
Work
Peace Prayer, commonly called the Prayer of Saint Francis
French publication
La Clochette, December 1912, p. 285
English translation
Translator and first publication of this wording unconfirmed
The exact source or English translator has not been established; no public-domain status is asserted.
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Fact-check
Often misattributed
The conventional title names Francis, but Renoux ↗ traces the text to an anonymous French publication in 1912.
✕
Incorrectly attributed to Francis of Assisi Unsupported attribution
The conventional title names Francis, but Renoux ↗ traces the text to an anonymous French publication in 1912.
✓Not a documented saying of Francis. This is a line from an English version of the anonymous Peace Prayer, whose French text appeared in La Clochette in December 1912; the translator of this wording is unconfirmed.
Context
Why it mattered
The plea to answer hatred with love is part of a longer prayer balancing one human response against another. The Franciscan reflection ↗ finds those ideals compatible with Francis's example, while explicitly separating that compatibility from authorship.
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The author
About Anonymous
A
Anonymous
Identity unknown · Author of the French Peace Prayer
The French Peace Prayer was published without a signature. Its author remains unidentified; its later association with Francis is not an authorship record.
For writers & researchers
Cite this
The primary source (Chicago)
Anonymous. “Belle prière à faire pendant la Messe.” La Clochette, December 1912, 285. French original transcribed by Christian Renoux; exact English translator unconfirmed.
This verification page
Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘Where there is hatred, let me sow love’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/where-there-is-hatred-let-me-sow-love/