Merit is never so conspicuous as when coupled with an obscure origin, just as the moon never appears so lustrous as when it emerges from a cloud.

False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade.

Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.

Our first and last love is self-love.

The scope of an intellect is not to be measured with a tape-string, or a character deciphered from the shape or length of a nose.

It is the passion that is in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them.

The opinions of the misanthropical rest upon this very partial basis, that they adopt the bad faith of a few as evidence of the worthlessness of all.

The lively and mercurial are as open books, with the leaves turned down at the notable passages. Their souls sit at the windows of their eyes, seeing and to be seen.

Tears are nature's lotion for the eyes. The eyes see better for being washed by them.

The passions are like fire, useful in a thousand ways and dangerous only in one, through their excess.

Well, you can fairly claim the day hasn't been wasted, ' owned Cadfael generously, 'if something's been learned.

Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference, accepting that you may not understand how or why.

If you simply try to tell the truth you will, nine times out of ten, be original without ever having noticed it.

Speaking with passion born of your own authentic experience and belief is always persuasive.

When we think of Leonardo da Vinci, the last thing that comes to mind is the nationality of the artist. The great masters belong to the world.

Although they like to call themselves journalists, that's a myth even they don't really believe anymore. They're mutts on short leashes.

Most processes leave out the stuff no one wants to talk about: magic, intuition and leaps of faith.

I believe that God is with you, that there is a presence. I believe this God is for you. I don't think the universe is a cold, dead place that is indifferent.

There is an all-out assault now on the Christian community in this country.

Two years ago your father died, Ulysses. But as long as we are alive, as long as we are together, as long as two of us are left, and remember him, nothing in the world can take him from us.