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?
Robert BoltRead
If we lived in a State where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us good, and greed would make us saintly. And we'd live like animals or angels in the happy land that /needs/ no heroes. But since in fact we see that avarice, anger, envy, pride, sloth, lust and stupidity commonly profit far beyond humility, chastity, fortitude, justice and thought, and have to choose, to be human at all... why then perhaps we /must/ stand fast a little --even at the risk of being heroes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that virtue is not rewarded in society, prompting a choice between moral integrity and societal success.
Robert Bolt's quote reflects on the dichotomy between virtue and vice in society. He posits that if goodness were rewarded, everyone would naturally be good, but since negative traits often lead to success, individuals face a choice: to embrace these vices or to uphold their humanity by maintaining virtue, even at the cost of being seen as heroic. This highlights the struggle between moral values and societal expectations, suggesting that true humanity requires courage in the face of moral dilemmas.
Themes
VirtueGreedSocietyMoralityHumanityChoiceIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used to inspire discussions on ethics in business.
More from Robert Bolt
All quotes →When a man takes an oath... he's holding his own self in his own hands. Like water.
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Thomas More: ...And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned around 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...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.
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Death comes for us all. Even for kings he comes.
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