Robert Bolt

"When a man takes an oath, Meg, hes holding his own self in his own hands. Like water. And if he opens his fingers then — he neednt hope to find himself again."

"Roper: So now you’d give the Devil benefit of law? More: Yes. What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil? Roper: I’d cut down every law in England to do that! More: Oh? And, when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you – where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country’s planted thick with laws from coast to coast – man’s laws, not God’s – and, if you cut them down – and you’re just the man to do it – d’you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake."

"More: I will not take the oath. I will not tell you why I will not. Norfolk: Then your reasons must be treasonable! More: Not "must be;" may be. Norfolk: Its a fair assumption! More: The law requires more than an assumption; the law requires a fact."

"Margaret: Havent you done as much as God can reasonably want? More: Well... finally... it isnt a matter of reason; finally its a matter of love. Alice: Youre content, then, to be shut up here with mice and rats when you might be home with us! More: Content? If theyd open a crack that wide Id be through it. Well, has Eve run out of apples? Margaret: Ive not yet told you what the house is like, without you. More: Dont, Meg. Margaret: What we do in the evenings, now that youre not there. More: Meg, have done! Margaret: We sit in the dark because weve no candles. And weve no talk because were wondering what theyre doing to you here. More: The Kings more merciful than you. He doesnt use the rack."

"Norfolk: Im not a scholar, as Master Cromwell never tires of pointing out, and frankly I dont know whether the marriage was lawful or not. But damn it, Thomas, look at those names... You know those men! Cant 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 dont know, Your Grace. I have no window to look into another mans 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 Kings command make it round? And if it is round, will the Kings command flatten it? No, I will not sign."

"Roper: This was not practical; this was moral! More: Oh, now I understand you, Will. Moralitys not practical. Moralitys a gesture. A complicated gesture learned from books."

"Cromwell: You brought yourself to where you are now. More: Yes. Still, in another sense, I was brought."

"Cromwell: The Kings 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? Thats because youre not a man of conscience. If the King destroys a man, thats 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 mans blessings not worth having. So either will do."

"Cromwell: You dont seem to appreciate the seriousness of your position. More: I defy anyone to live in that cell for a year and not appreciate the seriousness of his position. Cromwell: Yet the State has harsher punishments. More: You threaten like a dockside bully. Cromwell: How should I threaten? More: Like a Minister of State, with justice! Cromwell: Oh, justice is what youre threatened with. More: Then Im not threatened."

"More: You want me to swear to the Act of Succession? Margaret: "God more regards the thoughts of the heart than the words of the mouth." Or so youve always told me. More: Yes. Margaret: Then say the words of the oath and in your heart think otherwise. More: What is an oath then but words we say to God?"

"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 dont! More: Alice, if you can tell me that you understand, I think I can make a good death, if I have to. Alice: Your deaths no "good" to me! More: Alice, you must tell me that you understand! Alice: I dont! I dont believe this had to happen. More: If you say that, Alice, I dont know how Im to face it. Alice: Its the truth! More: Youre an honest woman. Alice: Much good it may do me! Ill tell you what Im afraid of: that when youre gone, I shall hate you for it."

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