# Quote — Robert Bolt, A Man for All Seasons

> Have patience, Margaret, and trouble not thyself. Death comes for us all; even at our birth — even at our birth, death does but stand aside a little. And every day he looks toward us and muses somewhat to himself whether that day or the next he will draw nigh. It is the law of nature, and the will of God. You have long known the secrets of my heart.

- 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/have-patience-margaret

## 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)