Who said “The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be…”?

Verified

Oliver Cromwell. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLetter to Lawrence Crawford (10 March 1643)

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“The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies.”
— Oliver Cromwell
VerifiedLetter to Lawrence Crawford (10 March 1643) · evidencePublic Office

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter to Lawrence Crawford (10 March 1643).

APA

Cromwell, O. (n.d.). The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34910-the-state-in-choosing-men-to-serve-it/

MLA

Cromwell, Oliver. “The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34910-the-state-in-choosing-men-to-serve-it/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Cromwell, Oliver. “The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34910-the-state-in-choosing-men-to-serve-it/.

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More quotes by Oliver Cromwell

“I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.”
VerifiedLetter to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland (3 August 1650) · evidenceDetails & citeMistakes
“I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that you call a Gentleman and is nothing else.”
VerifiedLetter to Sir William Spring (September 1643) · evidenceDetails & citeArmy and Navy
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