They haunt like ghosts when they are broken, they torture like fire then.

Don't talk to me of vows.

It is not vows that keep the world right, but the prayer of a man's soul from day to day." The Judge's words sounded almost blasphemous to M.Fille.A vow not keep the world right! Then why the vows of the Church at baptism, at confirmation, at marriage?
Why the vows of the priests, of the nuns, of those who had given themselves to eternal service?
Monsieur had spoken terrible things.

And yet he had said at the last: "It is not vows that keep the world right, but the prayer of a man's soul from day to day." That was not heretical, or atheistic, or blasphemous.

It sounded logical and true and good.
He was about to say that, to some people, vows were the only way of keeping them to their duty--and especially women--but the Judge added gently: "I would not for the world hurt your sensibilities, my little Clerk, and we are not nearly so far apart as you think at the minute.
Thank God, I keep the faith that is behind all faith--the speech of a man's soul with God....