Brother Cadfael knew better than to be in a hurry, where souls were concerned. There was plenty of elbow-room in eternity.
He prayed as he breathed, forming no words and making no specific requests, only holding his heart, like broken birds in cupped hands,
Oh, sometimes I like to put the sand of doubt into the oyster of my faith. (Br. Cadfael)
Truth like the burgeoning of a bulb under the soil however deeply sown will make its way to the light.
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.
What you do and what you are is what matters.
Well, you can fairly claim the day hasn't been wasted,' owned Cadfael generously, 'if something's been learned.
All the things of the wild have their proper uses. Only misuse makes them evil.
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...
What are wits for unless a man uses them?
Bitter though it may be to many, Cadfael concluded, there is no substitute for truth, in this or any case.
A man must be prepared to face life, as well as death, there's no escape from either.
It's a kind of arrogance to be so certain you're past redemption.
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...
Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment!
Murder is murder,as much a curse to the slayer as to the slain, and cannot be a matter of indifference, whoever the dead may be.
I value devotion and fidelity, and doubt if it matters whether the object falls short. What you do and what you are is what matters. Your loyalty is as sacred as mine.
In happiness or unhappiness, living is a duty, and must be done thoroughly.
Here I begin to know that blessedness is what can be snatched out the passing day and put away to think of afterwards.
When harried, we go as far as we dare, and with those we're sure of we dare go very far, knowing where forgiveness is certain.