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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of laws in society and the dangers of allowing them to be disregarded.
In this quote, Thomas More reflects on the essential role that man-made laws play in maintaining order and protecting individuals from chaos. He argues that without laws, society would descend into anarchy, presenting a bleak vision of a world where moral and legal frameworks are absent. More's assertion about giving 'the Devil' the benefit of law highlights his belief that even those with the worst intentions deserve a legal framework to ensure justice and safety for all.
Themes
LawsJusticeSocietySafetyOrderAnarchy
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on legal reforms, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of maintaining laws.
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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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.
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Death comes for us all. Even for kings he comes.
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