"Wait a moment, my friend," the priest replied. "You clearly don't understand the kind of courage I possess, or how I intend to use my strength. As for patience, I think I've shown plenty by starting each morning where I left off the night before, and each night continuing the work of the day. But then, young man, and please pay close attention, back then I thought I wasn't doing anything wrong in trying to free an innocent person, someone who had committed no crime and didn't deserve punishment."
"Have your feelings changed?" Dantès asked in surprise. "Do you think you're more guilty now that you've met me?"
"No, and I don't want to become guilty. Until now I thought I was just fighting circumstances, not people. I saw no sin in breaking through a wall or destroying a staircase, but I can't easily convince myself to pierce a heart or take a life." Dantès looked slightly surprised.
