Cadfael Quotes

“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!”
― Ellis Peters, A Rare Benedictine

“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.”
― Ellis Peters, The Hermit of Eyton Forest

“But there are some born to do penance by nature. Maybe they lift the load for some of us who take it quite comfortably that we're humankind, and not angels.”
― Ellis Peters, The Confession of Brother Haluin

“It was not far. Once away from the subdued lights of the buildings they were aware of the stars, snapping like sparks from a cold fire, in a clear black sky just engendering a few tattered snow-clouds in the east. In the garden, between the pleached hedges, it seemed almost warm, as though the sleeping trees breathed tempered air as well as cutting off the bleak wind. The silence was profound. The herb garden was walled, and the wooden hut where Cadfael brewed and stored his medicines was sheltered from the worst of the cold.”
― Ellis Peters

“Once away from the subdued lights of the buildings, they were aware of the stars, snapping like sparks from a cold fire....”
― Ellis Peters, The Price of Light

“There's an art in every labour.”
― Ellis Peters, The Raven in the Foregate