How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from A Man for All Seasons.
Quote #4
DUKE: But he's silent, Master Secretary. Why not leave him silent?
CROMWELL: Your Grace, not being a man of letters... you perhaps don't realize the extent of his reputation. This silence of his is bellowing up and down Europe! In Europe he is claimed as the King's enemy.
DUKE: Rubbish! Crank he may be, traitor he is not.
CROMWELL: Exactly. And with a little pressure... with a little pressure he can be got to say so. That's all we need: a brief declaration of his loyalty to the present administration.
Ironically, More's silence has power. Cromwell, being a practical man, thinks that "pressure" (i.e., the threat of death) will be enough to force More to relent. He doesn't realize that worldly power won't threaten More because fidelity to his own soul is more important to him than dying.
Quote #5
BISHOP: But that you owe obedience to the King is not capable of question. So weigh a doubt against a certainty and sign.
MORE: 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? No, I will not sign.
More thinks his fidelity to the facts shouldn't be treason—and for him, the facts include the Church's right to be the main spiritual authority on earth. At the same time, while objecting to the king's oath for this reason, he won't actually state his reasons for opposing the oath. He's trying to oppose the unreasonable use of power, while simultaneously digging for a loophole to save his skin.
Quote #6
JUDGE: Sir Richard is appointed Attorney General for Wales.
MORE: For Wales. Why, Richard, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world. But for Wales?
More devastatingly critiques Rich: Richard is betraying More—a sin that could easily damn Rich—in order to become Attorney General of Wales. But More points out how totally hollow Rich is, while possibly getting in a little dig at Wales. It's not worth it, because it's worldly power, but More only really trusts in God's power.