I would uphold the law if for no other reason but to protect myself.

Meaning of the quote

This quote means that Thomas More would follow the law, even if he didn't agree with it, in order to keep himself safe. He believed that obeying the law, even when it's difficult, is important for your own protection.

About Thomas More

Sir Thomas More was an influential English figure in the 16th century, known for his work as a lawyer, judge, philosopher, and author. He served as Lord High Chancellor of England but was executed for refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII as the supreme head of the Church of England. More was later canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.

More about the author

More quotes from Thomas More

See me safe up: for in my coming down, I can shift for myself.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

‘Tis the last rose of summer Left blooming alone; All her lovely companions Are faded and gone.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

The channel is known only to the natives; so that if any stranger should enter into the bay without one of their pilots he would run great danger of shipwreck.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

An absolutely new idea is one of the rarest things known to man.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

My only books were woman’s looks, and folly’s all they’ve taught me.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

By confronting us with irreducible mysteries that stretch our daily vision to include infinity, nature opens an inviting and guiding path toward a spiritual life.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

For when they see the people swarm into the streets, and daily wet to the skin with rain, and yet cannot persuade them to go out of the rain, they do keep themselves within their houses, seeing they cannot remedy the folly of the people.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

I die the king’s faithful servant, but God’s first.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

If honor were profitable, everybody would be honorable.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

A friendship like love is warm; a love like friendship is steady.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

Whoever loveth me, loveth my hound.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

To be educated, a person doesn’t have to know much or be informed, but he or she does have to have been exposed vulnerably to the transformative events of an engaged human life.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

The heart that has truly loved never forgets, But as truly loves on to the close.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

Disguise our bondage as we will, ‘Tis woman, woman, rules us still.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

They wonder much to hear that gold, which in itself is so useless a thing, should be everywhere so much esteemed, that even men for whom it was made, and by whom it has its value, should yet be thought of less value than it is.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

Ask a woman’s advice, and whatever she advises, Do the very reverse and you’re sure to be wise.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

This wretched brain gave way, and I became a wreck at random driven, without one glimpse of reason or heaven.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

The light, that lies In woman’s eyes, Has been my heart’s undoing.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

Our emotional symptoms are precious sources of life and individuality.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

And it will fall out as in a complication of diseases, that by applying a remedy to one sore, you will provoke another; and that which removes the one ill symptom produces others.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

One of the greatest problems of our time is that many are schooled but few are educated.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

Those among them that have not received our religion do not fright any from it, and use none ill that goes over to it, so that all the while I was there one man was only punished on this occasion.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

A little wanton money, which burned out the bottom of his purse.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

What though youth gave love and roses, Age still leaves us friends and wine.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

Fond memory brings the light of other days around me.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

And, indeed, though they differ concerning other things, yet all agree in this: that they think there is one Supreme Being that made and governs the world, whom they call, in the language of their country, Mithras.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

Oh! blame not the bard.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

There are several sorts of religions, not only in different parts of the island, but even in every town; some worshipping the sun, others the moon or one of the planets.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

I would uphold the law if for no other reason but to protect myself.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)

He travels best that knows when to return.

Thomas More

English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478-1535)