Quotes from Ellis Peters

It takes a lot to wound a man without illusions.

Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment!

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

I have always known that the best of the Saracens could out-Christian many of us Christians.

Once, I remember, Father Abbot said that our purpose is justice, and with God lies the privilege of mercy. But even God, when he intends mercy, needs tools to his hand.

It was a matter of principle, or perhaps of honour, with Brother Cadfael, when a door opened before him suddenly and unexpectedly, to accept the offer and walk through it. He did so with even more alacrity if the door opened on a prospect of Wales; it might even be said that he broke into a trot, in case the door slammed again on that enchanting view.

And who knows, thought Cadfael, which is in the right, the young man who sees the best in all, and trusts all, or the old one who suspects all until he has probed them through and through? The one may stumble into a snare now and then, but at least enjoy sunshine along the way, between falls. The other may never miss his footing, but seldom experience joy. Better find a way somewhere between!

When I want to hear my echo," said Brother Cadfael, "I will at least speak first.

Say your prayers, think quietly what you should do, do it, and sleep. There is no man living, neither king nor emperor, can do more or better, or trust in a better harvest.

There never was, for all I could ever learn, a time when living was easy and peaceful.

Now have ado with a man!

Where there is no certainty the mind must turn to the light and not the shadow.

Thank God I didn't make the mistake of suggesting it to him, thought Cadfael devoutly. There's nothing the young hate and resent so much as to be urged to a good act, when they've already made the virtuous resolve on their own account.

The best way to get the sweet out of children and escape the bitter is to have them by proxy.

Cadfael hastened towards his workshop with a lightened heart, having shifted his worries to broader shoulders

Never let it shake your faith that there is a balance hereafter. What you see is only a broken piece from a perfect whole.

When a dutiful brother came to relieve him, he went to his bed, and slept as soon as he lay down. He had the gift. There was no profit in laying awake fretting for what would, in any case, have to be faced on awaking, and he had long ago sloughed off the unprofitable. It took too much out of a man, of what would be needed hereafter.

There is no profit in ifs. We go on from where we stand, we answer for our own evil, and leave to God our good.

It is a time for quietness and prayer. Death is present with us every day of our lives, it behooves us to take note of its nearness, not as a threat, but as our common experience on the way to grace. There is no more to be said. It is better to accept the will of God, and be silent.

The grace of God is not endangered by the follies or the wickedness of men.

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

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 he'll which way to fall.

Whatever the rights or wrongs of their affection, in the teeth of danger and despair love is entitled to speak its mind, and all others should be blind and deaf.

One man alone can give up and subside into the cold and die, far more easily than two together, who will both brace and provoke each other, wrangle and support, give each other warmth and challenge each other's endurance. (The Virgin in the Ice, p. 87 of 200)