Thomas More quotes from The Tudors

Thomas More

[to King Henry] All right! If you want the world to know that the King of England is easily changeable, shallow, intemperate, incapable of keeping his word! Then of course I will go and tell them. After all, I am merely Your Majesty's humble servant!

Thomas More

Katherine of Aragon is not only a great queen and the daughter of great kings, she is also immensely popular throughout the whole of the country. God forbid that the king should abandon her just to ease his own conscience. I don't think the English people would ever forgive him!

Thomas More

[Talking to Bishop John Fisher] I am reminded of something Wolsey once told me, that I should only tell the King what he ought to do, never what he could..."For if the lion knows his own strength, no one could control him"

Thomas More

As a humanist I have an abhorrence of war. It's an activity fit only for beasts yet practiced by no kind of beasts so constantly as by man.

King Henry

As a humanist I share your opinion. As a King, I'm forced to disagree.

Thomas More

Spoken like a lawyer.

King Henry

You should know, you taught me.

Thomas More

Not well enough it seems.

Thomas More

Do you really think we should go to war?

Cardinal Wolsey

I think we should try to do as the King wants us to do.

Thomas More

What if the King doesn't know what's in his best interests?

Cardinal Wolsey

Then we should help him decide.

Cardinal Wolsey

Thomas, let me give you a little advice. If you want to keep the love of a prince, this is what you must do: You must be prepared to give him the thing you most care for, in all the world.

Thomas More

The thing I care for most is my integrity.

King Henry VIII

I will not sign! Tell Francis I will not sign the treaty!

Thomas More

All right! If you want the world to know that the King of England is easily changeable, shallow, intemperate, incapable of keeping his word! Then of course I will go and tell them. After all, I am merely Your Majesty's humble servant!

Thomas More

There's only one way to reach the King's ear, and that is through the good offices of Cardinal Wolsey.

We heard some rumors, Mr More, that the cardinal advocates the French interests.

Thomas More

Only when he considers them to be in ours.

Cardinal Campeggio

I have received a petition from the dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk and Lord Boleyn, saying the divorce has an overwhelming support of the people of England.

Thomas More

As Your Eminence would quickly discover if he stepped outside these doors and saw the people, that is a manifest lie. On the contrary, the people love their queen and they have every reason to do so.

Cardinal Wolsey

Try to discover by subtle means, through his agents, if the emperor is prepared to support his aunt by use of force.

Thomas More

You think he might invade England in support of the queen?

Cardinal Wolsey

I don't think anything, but I imagine everything.

Cardinal Wolsey

Francis has betrayed me!

Thomas More

Francis saw the futility of war. He recognised the need for tradition!

Cardinal Wolsey

[hatefully] And you, Thomas...you have destroyed me!

Thomas Cromwell

Sir Thomas, I notice you allow yourself none of the trappings of your great office.

Thomas More

I'm not so vain as to display its power, Master Cromwell, but I'll tell you this, I fully intend to use it.

Sir Thomas More. (Cromwell looks up and smiles)

Thomas Cromwell

Sir Thomas. (rises)

Thomas More

Mr. Secretary.

Thomas Cromwell

Please be seated. This is- er- quite an informal occasion. (picks up a pitcher) A little ale, perhaps?

Thomas More

(stiffly) No, thank you.

Thomas Cromwell

(smiles and shakes his head)... I'm sure we both know the object that has brought us together. It is very widely rumored, Sir Thomas, that you will refuse to take the Oath of Succession. Now, I say this to you very openly and sincerely, that I wish no harm to come to a great man who has, for years, enjoyed and deserved His Majesty's good graces. I would rather lose my own son, than to see any hurt come to you. (More smiles slightly) May I ask your opinion of the King's new marriage?

Thomas More

(bluntly) I have no opinion. I neither murmur at it, nor dispute upon it. I never did- never will.

Thomas Cromwell

Then, what of His Majesty's claim to supremacy over the Church of England?

Thomas More

(nods thoughtfully) Mmm... I was... unsure about this matter. (pause) Until I re-read His Majesty's own pamphlet, the Assertio Septum Sacramentorum. (Cromwell frowns inquiringly) In fact, I, um, have a copy of it here. (sets the pamphlet on Cromwell's desk) Of course, in the pamphlet, the King asserts the divine origin of the Papacy. The Pope's supremacy descends directly from the Rock of Saint Peter. I think you'll find His Majesty's arguments are as... persuasive and powerful now, as they were when he first wrote them.

Thomas Cromwell

... Will you take the Oath? I need hardly remind you of the consequences of not doing so.

Thomas More

(quietly, coldly) Mr. Secretary, I am the King's loyal subject. I say no harm, I think no harm- but I wish everybody good. And, if this be not enough to keep a man alive, in good faith- then, I long not to live. (stands to leave)

Thomas Cromwell

(exasperated) Sir Thomas. You should know that the King himself has no mind to coerce you. He simply asks that you relent- and condescend to his request that you take the Oath.

Thomas More

(turns back)... Mr. Cromwell, please impart to the King my utter faithfulness, truthfulness and loyalty to him. (leaves)