How we cite our quotes: (Book.Page) based on the 1989 Cambridge University Press edition
Quote #1
As a matter of fact, there are so many men soliciting favors from the great that it will be no great loss if they have to do without me and a couple of others like me. (1.13)
But we thought Hythloday wasn't interested in "soliciting favors"? He sure has quite a bit to say about it at the Cardinal's dinner.
Quote #2
Such proud, obstinate, ridiculous judgements I have encountered many times and once even in England. (1.14-15)
It's not just a few people who are problematic—it's everywhere. Sigh... if only there were some far away island where they did things right.
Quote #3
Your sheep […] that commonly are so meek and eat so little; now, as I hear, they have become so greedy and fierce that they devour men themselves. (1.18-19)
You know things are bad when even the sheep turn into greedy man-eaters. Yikes. Things in Europe are not looking good.
Quote #4
When the Cardinal had concluded, they all began praising enthusiastically ideas which they had received with contempt when I suggested them (1.25-26)
See? If you're not important, no one listens. (It's okay, Hythloday, we're listening.)
Quote #5
Now in a meeting like this one, where so much is at stake, where so many brilliant men are competing to think up schemes of conquest, what if an insignificant fellow like myself were to get up and advise going on another tack entirely?
From the tone of Hythloday's question, we're guessing the answer isn't too optimistic.
Quote #6
Either they will seduce you, or, if you remain honest and innocent, you will be made a screen for the [...] folly of others. Influencing policy indeed! You wouldn't have a chance! (1.38)
As Hythloday laments the realities of politics, it really starts to sound like a lose/lose situation...
Quote #7
[F]or I lived [in Utopia] more than five years, and would never have left, if it had not been to make that new world known to others. (1.40)
We get it, Hythloday. Europe = bad; Utopia = good. Do you think Utopia is just the opposite of Europe? Or are there some overlapping aspects?
Quote #8
In fact [the Utopians] have not discovered even one of those elaborate rules about restrictions, amplifications and suppositions which our own schoolboys study in the Small Logicals. (2.66)
If you think Hythloday actually has something positive to say about European education, think again. He's making fun of all these various "philosophical" exercises he (and, obviously, More) think are useless.
Quote #9
I have undertaken only to describe [Utopian] principles, not to defend them. But of this I am sure, that whatever you think of their ideas, there is not a more excellent people or a more flourishing commonwealth anywhere in the whole world. (2.77)
Is it us, or is Hythloday sounding a tad defensive here?
Quote #10
At this point, I'd like to see anyone venture to compare this equity of the Utopians with the so-called justice that prevails among other nations—among whom let me perish if I can discover the slightest scrap of justice or fairness. (2.107)
We're wondering if such extreme statements like this make Hythloday more persuasive or less persuasive. What do you think?