“Truth is a hard master, and costly to serve, but it simplifies all problems.”

“Truth can be costly, but in the end it never falls short of value for the price paid.”

“Bitter though it may be to many, Cadfael concluded, there is no substitute for truth, in this or any case.”

“Meet every man as you find him, for we're 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.”

“All the things of the wild have their proper uses. Only misuse makes them evil.”

“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.”

“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.”