37 Quotes by C.J. Sansom

But since printing came in no one wants illustrated works, they are happy with these cheap books with their ugly, square letters all squashed together.

Conscience,′ Hobbey said with infinite sadness. ‘I had one once. Ambition killed it.

Truly, as the ancients taught us, there is nothing under the moon, however fine, that is not subject to corruption.

It has become a world of black and white, Matthew, a Manichean world where preachers encourage everyone to rush towards a conflict between good and evil. Each knowing, of course, that their own side is entirely in the right.

Fanatics on both sides,’ old Ryprose said gloomily. ‘And all we poor ordinary folk in the middle. Sometimes I fear they will bring death to us all.

We used to think British people could never become Fascists, or Fascist collaborators. But they can. I suppose anybody can, given the right set of circumstances.

It has driven men to extremes, to the impious arrogance of believing they alone can comprehend the vast mysteries of Scripture, let alone the mind of God. Such people are incapable of understanding even their own minds, for they confuse their own needs, for certainty or power, with God’s voice speaking to them.

Six wives the King’s had now.′ Barak’s words dragged me from my reverie. ‘We can’t even get one between us.

I took the book and glanced at the page Guy was reading. I quoted, ‘ “The rich man’s substance is the wellspring of the poor man’s living.” Ah yes, that theory, that as the rich grow richer their wealth trickles down to the poor like sand. Well, I have been practising law twenty-five years and all I have seen is it trickle ever upwards.’ I.