Master Quote by Robert Bolt
““My master Thomas More would give anything to anyone. Some say that’s good and some say that’s bad, but I say he can’t help it—and that’s bad…because some day someone’s going to ask him for something that he wants to keep; and he’ll be out of practice””
About This Quote
Source Play: A Man for All Seasons, Robert Bolt, 1960
Power can corrupt even the generous, making them unable to refuse personal desires.
In simple terms: Generosity can be twisted by self‑interest.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hidden motives in aid.
Themes
power
generosity
corruption
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- charitable giving
- political negotiations
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
political theory
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you felt a gift was conditional?
- How can you ensure generosity stays pure?
A Different Perspective
Even well‑intentioned aid can be self‑serving.
![“This account of him [Thomas More] developed as I wrote: what first attracted me was a person who could not be accused of any incapacity for life, who indeed seized life in great variety and almost greedy quantities, who nevertheless found something in himself without which life was valueless and…” quote by Robert Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e50/robert-bolt-21488_able_this-account-of-him-thomas-more-develope_749259.jpg)
