# Quote — Robert Bolt, A Man for All Seasons

> Cromwell: The King's a man of conscience and he wants either Sir Thomas More to bless his marriage or Sir Thomas More destroyed.
>
> Rich: They seem odd alternatives, Secretary.
>
> Cromwell: Do they? That's because you're not a man of conscience. If the King destroys a man, that's proof to the King that it must have been a bad man, the kind of man a man of conscience ought to destroy — and of course a bad man's blessing's not worth having. So either will do.

- Author: [Robert Bolt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-bolt.md)
- Book: [A Man for All Seasons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-bolt/a-man-for-all-seasons.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robert_Bolt#A_Man_for_All_Seasons_(1966)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-bolt/a-man-for-all-seasons/cromwell-the-kings

## More from this book

> More: I am faint when I think of the worst that they may do to me. But worse than that would be to go without you not understanding why I go.
>
> Alice: I don't!
>
> More: Alice, if you can tell me that you understand, I think I can make a good death, if I have to.
>
> Alice: Your death's no "good" to me!
>
> More: Alice, you must tell me that you understand!
>
> Alice: I don't! I don't believe this had to happen.
>
> More: If you say that, Alice, I don't know how I'm to face it.
>
> Alice: It's the truth!
>
> More: You're an honest woman.
>
> Alice: Much good it may do me! I'll tell you what I'm afraid of: that when you're gone, I shall hate you for it.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-bolt/a-man-for-all-seasons/more-i-am-faint.md)

> Norfolk: I'm not a scholar, as Master Cromwell never tires of pointing out, and frankly I don't know whether the marriage was lawful or not. But damn it, Thomas, look at those names... You know those men! Can't you do what I did, and come with us for friendship?
>
> More: And when we stand before God, and you are sent to Paradise for doing according to your conscience, and I am damned for not doing according to mine, will you come with me, for friendship?
>
> Cranmer: So those of us whose names are there are damned, Sir Thomas?
>
> More: I don't know, Your Grace. I have no window to look into another man's conscience. I condemn no one.
>
> Cranmer: Then the matter is capable of question?
>
> More: Certainly.
>
> Cranmer: But that you owe obedience to your King is not capable of question. So weigh a doubt against a certainty — and sign.
>
> More: 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? No, I will not sign.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-bolt/a-man-for-all-seasons/norfolk-im-not.md)

> Jailer: You understand my position, sir, there's nothing I can do; I'm a plain, simple man and just want to keep out of trouble.
>
> More: Oh, Sweet Jesus! These plain, simple men!

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-bolt/a-man-for-all-seasons/jailer-you-understand.md)