Quotes by Ellis Peters

One centurys saint is the next centurys heretic ... and one centurys heretic is the next centurys saint. It is as well to think long and calmly before affixing either name to any man.

Only people whore positive enough to have friends have enemies. When youre as glum and morose as he was, people just give up and go away.

Every man has within him only one life and one nature ... It behooves a man to look within himself and turn to the best dedication possible those endowments he has from his Maker. You do no wrong in questioning what once you held to be right for you, if now it has come to seem wrong. Put away all thought of being bound. We do not want you bound. No one who is not free can give freely.

What are wits for unless a man uses them?

Dont reach for the halo too soon. You have plenty of time to enjoy yourself, even a little maliciously sometimes, before you settle down to being a saint.

Theres an art in every labour.

Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment!

They sell courage of a sort in the taverns. And another sort, though not for sale, a man can find in the confessional. Try the alehouses and the churches, Hugh. In either a man can be quiet and think.

So, wonder! I also wonder about you, said Cadfael mildly. Do you know any human creatures who are not strangers, one to another?

I think there are some who live on a knife-edge in the soul, and at times are driven to hurl themselves into the air, at the mercy of heaven or hell which way to fall.

Well, a man can but hold fast to what he believes right, and even the opponent he baulks should value him for that.

Perhaps thought really is prayer.

He prayed as he breathed, forming no words and making no specific requests, only holding his heart, like broken birds in cupped hands,

Well, you can fairly claim the day hasnt been wasted, owned Cadfael generously, if somethings been learned.

Its a kind of arrogance to be so certain youre past redemption.

When harried, we go as far as we dare, and with those were sure of we dare go very far, knowing where forgiveness is certain.

The ugliness that man can do to man might cast a shadow between you and the certainty of the justice and mercy God can do to him hereafter. It takes half a lifetime to reach the spot where eternity is always visible, and the crude injustice of the hour shrivels out of sight.

The voices of cold reason were talking, as usual, to deaf ears.

In the end there is nothing to be done but to state clearly what has been done, without shame or regret, and say: Here I am, and this is what I am. Now deal with me as you see fit. That is your right. Mine is to stand by the act, and pay the price.You do what you must do, and pay for it. So in the end all things are simple.

Meet every man as you find him, for were all made the same under habit, robe or rags. Some better made than others, and some better cared for, but on the same pattern, all.