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51 Thought-Provoking Quotes By Thomas More To Ponder

Famous As: Catholic Saint
Born On: 1478
Died On: 1535
Born In: City of London
Died At Age: 57
Sir Thomas More was a well-known Renaissance humanist, lawyer, author, philosopher and statesman, who lived from 1478 to 1535 and is particularly revered among Roman Catholics for his views on religion. More was born in London and studied at the elite St.Anthony’s School and then went on to study at the University of Oxford. He quit Oxford on his father’s insistence and studied law, before being inducted to the bar in 1502. More served King Henry VIII as his personal councillor but reached the zenith of his power as a statesman in 1529 when the king appointed him Lord High Chancellor of England. As a writer, More is most famous for having written the book ‘Utopia’, which looks at the politics of an imaginary nation. The book is regarded as a masterpiece and is still read widely across the world. More’s views on Catholicism have also been hailed by the Roman Catholics and his opposition to Martin Luther cemented his place as a Catholic icon. He was canonised in 1935 and is often referred to as Saint Thomas More. More was a man of immense talent and intellect. Needless to say, he was a great orator and has expressed his thoughts on various social, political, economic and diplomatic issues. His writings, books and thoughts give insight into his mind. Here are some of Thomas More quotes.
A pretty face may be enough to catch a man, but it takes character and good nature to hold him.

A pretty face may be enough to catch a man, but it takes character and good nature to hold him.

Thomas More
You wouldn't abandon ship in a storm just because you couldn't control the winds.

You wouldn't abandon ship in a storm just because you couldn't control the winds.

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

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

Thomas More
What part soever you take upon you, play that as well as you can and make the best of it.

What part soever you take upon you, play that as well as you can and make the best of it.

Thomas More
Kindness and good nature unite men more effectually and with greater strength than any agreements whatsoever, since thereby the engagements of men's hearts become stronger than the bond and obligation of words.

Kindness and good nature unite men more effectually and with greater strength than any agreements whatsoever, since thereby the engagements of men's hearts become stronger than the bond and obligation of words.

Thomas More
One man to live in pleasure and wealth, whiles all other weap and smart for it, that is the part not of a king, but of a jailor.

One man to live in pleasure and wealth, whiles all other weap and smart for it, that is the part not of a king, but of a jailor.

Thomas More
Pride thinks it's own happiness shines the brighter by comparing it with the misfortunes of others.

Pride thinks it's own happiness shines the brighter by comparing it with the misfortunes of others.

Thomas More
Nobody owns anything but everyone is rich - for what greater wealth can there be than cheerfulness, peace of mind, and freedom from anxiety?

Nobody owns anything but everyone is rich - for what greater wealth can there be than cheerfulness, peace of mind, and freedom from anxiety?

Thomas More
Anyone who campaigns for public office becomes disqualified for holding any office at all.

Anyone who campaigns for public office becomes disqualified for holding any office at all.

Thomas More
Love rules without rules

Love rules without rules

Thomas More
What is deferred is not avoided.

What is deferred is not avoided.

Thomas More
If the lion knew his own strength, hard were it for any man to rule him.

If the lion knew his own strength, hard were it for any man to rule him.

Thomas More
It is only natural, of course, that each man should think his own opinions best: the crow loves his fledgling, and the ape his cub.

It is only natural, of course, that each man should think his own opinions best: the crow loves his fledgling, and the ape his cub.

Thomas More
I die the king's faithful servant, but God's first.

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

Thomas More
(...) personal prejudice and financial greed are the two great evils that threaten courts of law, and once they get the upper hand they immediately hamstring society, by destroying all justice.

(...) personal prejudice and financial greed are the two great evils that threaten courts of law, and once they get the upper hand they immediately hamstring society, by destroying all justice.

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

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

Thomas More
Anticipated spears wound less.

Anticipated spears wound less.

Thomas More
Some men may be snared by beauty alone, but none can be held except by virtue and compliance.

Some men may be snared by beauty alone, but none can be held except by virtue and compliance.

Thomas More
There is nothing more inglorious than that glory that is gained by war

There is nothing more inglorious than that glory that is gained by war

Thomas More
God made the angels to show Him splendor, as He made animals for innocence and plants for their simplicity. But Man He made to serve Him wittily, in the tangle of his mind.

God made the angels to show Him splendor, as He made animals for innocence and plants for their simplicity. But Man He made to serve Him wittily, in the tangle of his mind.

Thomas More
Most people know nothing about learning; many despise it. Dummies reject as too hard whatever is not dumb.

Most people know nothing about learning; many despise it. Dummies reject as too hard whatever is not dumb.

Thomas More
The way to heaven out of all places is of length and distance.

The way to heaven out of all places is of length and distance.

Thomas More
Let them speak as lewdly as they list of me...as long as they do not hit me, what am I the worse?

Let them speak as lewdly as they list of me...as long as they do not hit me, what am I the worse?

Thomas More
No, do the best you can to make the present production a success - don't spoil the entire play just because you happen to think of another one that you'd enjoy rather more.

No, do the best you can to make the present production a success - don't spoil the entire play just because you happen to think of another one that you'd enjoy rather more.

Thomas More
No man shall be blamed in the maintenance of his own religion.

No man shall be blamed in the maintenance of his own religion.

Thomas More
Fortune doth both raise up the low and pluck down the high.

Fortune doth both raise up the low and pluck down the high.

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

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

Thomas More
Men be so foolish as to have delight and pleasure in the doubtful glistering of a trifling little stone, which may behold any of the stars or else the sun itself.

Men be so foolish as to have delight and pleasure in the doubtful glistering of a trifling little stone, which may behold any of the stars or else the sun itself.

Thomas More
The devil…the prowde spirite…cannot endure to be mocked.

The devil…the prowde spirite…cannot endure to be mocked.

Thomas More
The most part of all princes have more delight in warlike manners and feats of chivalry than in the good feats of peace.

The most part of all princes have more delight in warlike manners and feats of chivalry than in the good feats of peace.

Thomas More