WOLSEY: That thing out there’s at least fertile, Thomas.
MORE: But she’s not his wife.
WOLSEY: No, Catherine’s his wife and she’s barren as brick. Are you going to pray for a miracle?
MORE: There are precedents.
Robert Bolt (1924-1995) English dramatist
A Man for All Seasons, play, Act 1 (1960)
(Source)
Referring to Anne Boleyn, whom King Henry VIII wants to marry pending to a divorce from his present wife, Catherine of Aragon.
In Bolt's 1966 film adaptation (Source (Video); dialog verified), nearly the same lines are used:WOLSEY: That thing out there; at least she's fertile.
MORE: But she's not his wife.
WOLSEY: No, Catherine's his wife and she's barren as a brick; are you going to pray for a miracle?
MORE: There are precedents.
Quotations about:
heir
Note not all quotations have been tagged, so Search may find additional quotes on this topic.
WOLSEY: The King wants a son; what are you going to do about it?
MORE: (dry murmur) I’m very sure the King needs no advice from me on what to do about it.
“Yet doth he live!” exclaims th’ impatient heir,
And sighs for sables which he must not wear.
But the best inheritance that fathers can give their children, more precious than any patrimony however large, is a reputation for virtue and for worthy deeds, which if the child disgraces, his conduct should be branded as infamous and impious.
[Optima autem hereditas a patribus traditur liberis omnique patrimonio praestantior gloria virtutis rerumque gestarum, cui dedecori esse nefas et vitium iudicandum est.]
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
De Officiis [On Duties; On Moral Duty; The Offices], Book 1, ch. 33 (1.33) / sec. 121 (44 BC) [tr. Peabody (1883)]
(Source)
(Source (Latin)). Alternate translation:Now the noblest inheritance that can ever be left by a father to his son, and far exceeding that of houses and lands, is the fame of his virtues and glorious actions; and for a son to live so, as is unworthy of the name and reputation of his ancestors, is the basest and most abominable thing in the world.
[tr. Cockman (1699)]The best inheritance left by a father to his children, superior to every other patrimony, is the honor of a virtuous conduct, and the glory of his public transactions. And it is base and criminal by an unworthy conduct, to bring disgrace upon a father's reputation.
[tr. McCartney (1798)]Now, the best inheritance a parent can leave a child -- more excellent than any patrimony -- is the glory of his virtue and his deeds; to bring disgrace on which ought to be regarded as wicked and monstrous.
[tr. Edmonds (1865)]The noblest heritage, the richest patrimony a father can bequeath to his children is a reputation for virtue and noble deeds. To tarnish his good name is a sin and a crime.
[tr. Gardiner (1899)]The best legacy a father can leave to his children, a legacy worth far more than the largest patrimony, is the fame of a virtuous and well-spent life. He who disgraces such a bequest is deserving of infamy.
[ed. Harbottle (1906)]The noblest heritage, however, that is handed down from fathers to children, and one more precious than any inherited wealth, is a reputation for virtue and worthy deeds; and to dishonour this must be branded as a sin and a shame.
[tr. Miller (1913)]The best heritage that descends from fathers to sons is the fame for honesty and great deeds. Such fame surpasses any legacy. We must judge it a crime and a shame to disgrace it.
[tr. Edinger (1974)]
