I am a woodland fellow, sir, that always loved a great fire; and the master I speak of ever keeps a good fire. But, sure, he is the prince of the world; let his nobility remain in's court. I am for the house with the narrow gate, which I take to be too little for pomp to enter: some that humble themselves may; but the many will be too chill and tender, and they'll be for the flowery way that leads to the broad gate and the great fire.
I'm a country man, sir, who's always loved a big fire; and the master I'm talking about always keeps a good fire. But, surely, he's the king of the world; let him stay in his court. I prefer the house with the small gate, which I think is too small for showy people to get in: some who humble themselves might; but most people will be too cold and weak, and they'll prefer the fancy path that leads to the wide gate and the big fire.
Clown · Act 4, Scene 5
The Clown gives a riddling sermon about heaven and hell, choosing humility over worldly ambition. The passage lands because it is the play's only moment of explicit moral judgment: through the Clown's homely wisdom, the play suggests that Bertram's pride, Parolles's self-deception, and even the court's machinations all lead toward damnation. His simple faith offers an alternative to the play's games of love and honor.
