“Official Secrets” quotes from Yes, Prime Minister

Hacker

So I want you to retract that suppression story.

I don't see how I can.

Hacker

Well, of course you can! You're the editor, aren't you?

Yes, but an editor isn't like a general commanding an army; he's just the ringmaster of a circus. I mean I can book the acts, but I can't tell the acrobats which way to jump!

Sir Humphrey

Gratitude is merely a lively expectation of favours to come.

Bernard

The problem is, the prime minister *did* try to suppress the chapter, didn't he.

Sir Humphrey

I don't know, did he?

Bernard

Well, didn't he? Don't you remember?

Sir Humphrey

What I remember is irrelevant, Bernard. If the minutes don't say that he did, then he didn't.

Bernard

So you want me to falsify the minutes?

Sir Humphrey

I want nothing of the sort! It's up to you, Bernard - what do you want?

Bernard

I want to have a clear conscience.

Sir Humphrey

A clear conscience.

Bernard

Yes!

Sir Humphrey

When did you acquire this taste for luxuries? Consciences are for politicians, Bernard! We are humble functionaries whose duty it is to implement the commands of our democratically elected representatives. How could we possibly be doing anything wrong if it has been commanded by those who represent the people?

Sir Humphrey

You choose from a jumble of ill-digested ideas a version which represents the Prime Minister's views as he would, on reflection, have liked them to emerge.

Bernard

But if it's not a true record...

Sir Humphrey

The purpose of minutes is not to record events, it is to protect people. You do not take notes if the Prime Minister says something he did not mean to say, particularly if it contradicts something he has said publicly.