A Man for All Seasons Quotes to Know

Then say the words of the oath and in your heart think otherwise.

Margaret. She is speaking to More when they visit him in jail. She has promised to get him to agree to the Acts of Supremacy and Succession, and so tries to get him to do one thing for the public and another thing in private. This demonstrates not only Margaret's moral standing on oaths, but how much she does not understand her father. All throughout the play Margaret appears to understand her father the best, and Alice appears to get farther away, but the last time they are together Alice understands his morals best and Margaret tries to talk him out of them so he can live. (act 2, scene 10)

Thomas More would give anything to anyone. Some say that's good an some say that's bad, but I say he can't help it—and that's bad...because some day someone's going to ask him for something that he wants to keep; and he'll be out of practice. There must be something that he wants to keep. That's only common sense.

Common Man as Steward. After Rich comes to More and asks for a job and is given the silver goblet. The Common Man is talking about about how More seems to do everything that is asked of him and do whatever he can to please people, but ends by stating that it is only "common sense" that More has something he wants to keep, which is a reference to his moral price. (act 1, scene 1)

What's in me for him to miss?

Common Man as Steward. This is after More had asked Matthew if he would take a pay cut in order to still work for More, and Matthew said no. Matthew (Common Man) and therefore the common people believe that there is not enough morality in him for More, a man of high moral standings, to miss him. He doesn't believe that a man like More would miss a man like him, a man who has been spying on him for multiple people. (act 2, scene 4)

Because you're honest. And what's more to the purpose, you're known to be honest...

Henry. When Henry has sailed up the river to More and has asked him to support the divorce, More asks why he needs More's support so much. Henry needs his support because people know that More is an honest man, and so if More is supporting the divorce many people will think that the divorce is good and will want to support it too. (act 1, scene 6)

Some men think the Earth is round, others think it flat; it is a matter capable of question. But if it is flat, will the King's command make it round? And if it is round, will the King's command flatten it?

More. He is speaking to Cromwell, when Cromwell, Norfolk and Cranmer are trying to get More to sign. More states how the King's command cannot change things that people are set on, such as More's morals. (act 2, scene 9)

When a man takes an oath, Meg, he's holding his own self in his own hands.

More. He is talking to Margaret in jail, and is referencing how Meg wants him to take an oath but not really mean it in his heart. More means that when a man gives an oath, he gives his word, and therefore presents himself in the process. If he does not mean the oath, he is not true to himself and his morals. (act 2, scene 10)

Why, Richard, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world...But for Wales!

More. He is talking to Rich during his trial, after he learns that Rich has just perjured him in order to be appointed attorney general of Wales. More does not understand how Rich could give up all of his morals just to be appointed to this position. (act 2, scene 11)

I can't relieve you of your obedience to the King, Howard. You must relieve yourself of our friendship. No one's safe now, and you have a son.

More. This is spoken to Norfolk on the docks when Norfolk has told More it is dangerous to know More. More points out that if Norfolk is no longer friends with him he will be safe, because More is the one that Cromwell wants to get to talk. (act 2, scene 8)

And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you—where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat?

More. This is when Roper and More are arguing about how Roper thinks they should not follow the law in order to arrest Matthew as a spy. More points out that if all of the laws were gone, when the bad people decided to come for Roper or More instead, they would have no laws in opposition to them. More is defending his stance as a law follower, as laws are the thing that he believes are keeping him safe. (act 1, scene 7)

You are a constant regret to me, Thomas. If you could just see facts flat on, without that horrible moral squint; with just a little common sense, you could have been a statesman.

Wolsey. He tells this to More after More learns that Wolsey is writing directly to the Cardinal about the divorce instead of the ambassador that Wolsey himself appointed. More still doesn't approve of the divorce, and when More calls him devious, Wolsey basically tells him that without his strong morals he would have been a statesman, but More's morals are what makes him the person he is. (act 1, scene 2)