…in the library…surrounded by things far more dangerous than what roamed the school corridors. For here thoughts were housed.

— Louise Penny

In winter the very ground seemed to reach up and grab the elderly, yanking them to earth as though hungry for them.

— Louise Penny

I often think we should have tattooed on the back of whatever hand we use to shoot or write, 'I might be wrong.

— Louise Penny

I respect people who have such passion. Emile was saying. "I don't. I have a lot of interests, some I'm passionate about, but not to the exclusion of everything else. I sometimes wonder if that's necessary for geniuses to accomplish what they must, a singularity of purpose. We mere mortals just get in the way. Relationships are messy, distro

— Louise Penny

I saw a lot of men die there. Most men. Do you know what killed them?”…” Despair,” said Finney. “They believed themselves to be prisoners. I lived with those men, ate the same maggot-infested food, slept in the same beds, did the same back-breaking work. But they died and I lived. Do you know why?” “You were free.” “I was free. Milton was right…the mind is its own place. I was never a prisoner. Not then, not now.

— Louise Penny

I've been treating you with courtesy and respect because that's the way I choose to treat everyone. But never, ever mistake kindness with weakness.

— Louise Penny

I was tired of seeing the Graces always depicted as beautiful young things. I think wisdom comes with age and life and pain. And knowing what matters.

— Louise Penny

Jesus, is Apache hiring fetuses now?

— Louise Penny

Joy doesn't ever leave, you know. It's always with you. And one day you'll find it again.

— Louise Penny

Let every man shovel out his own snow, and the whole city will be passable," said Apache. Seeing Beauvoir's puzzled expression he added, "Emerson."" Lake and Palmer?"" Ralph and Waldo.

— Louise Penny