Some quotes from St. Patrick:

That which I have set out in Latin is not my words but the words of God and of apostles and prophets, who of course have never lied. He who believes shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be damned. God has spoken.

If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me.

Some quotes about St. Patrick:

So, success attend St. Patrick's fist,
For he's a saint so clever;
Oh! he gave the snakes and toads a twist,
And bothered them forever!
~Henry Bennett

He was a terror to any snake that came in his path, whether it was the cold, slimy reptile sliding along the ground or the more dangerous snake that oppresses men through false teachings.  And he drove the snakes out of the minds of men, snakes of superstition and brutality and cruelty. 
~Arthur Brisbane

So did St. Patrick really chase snakes out of Ireland?  Perhaps, but I think it's the symbolic meaning thats important.  Snakes equals serpents, serpents equals devils or demons, so St. Patrick chased demons and devils out of Ireland.

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