Society prepares the crime; the criminal commits it.

Society prepares the crime; the criminal commits it.

Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats,
And ask no questions but the price of votes.

Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats,
And ask no questions but the price of votes.

We enact many laws that manufacture criminals, and then a few that punish them.

We enact many laws that manufacture criminals, and then a few that punish them.

Small crimes always precede great ones. Never have we seen timid innocence pass suddenly to extreme licentiousness.

Small crimes always precede great ones. Never have we seen timid innocence pass suddenly to extreme licentiousness.

Every crime destroys more Edens than our own.

Every crime destroys more Edens than our own.

But here more slow, where all are slaves to gold,
Where looks are merchandise, and smiles are sold.

But here more slow, where all are slaves to gold,
Where looks are merchandise, and smiles are sold.

Many commit the same crimes with a very different result. One
bears a cross for his crime; another a read more

Many commit the same crimes with a very different result. One
bears a cross for his crime; another a crown.
[Lat., Multi committunt eadem diverso crimina fato;
Ille crucem scleris pretium tulit, hic diadema.]

Flowery oratory he [Walpole] despised. He ascribed to the
interested views of themselves or their relatives the
declarations read more

Flowery oratory he [Walpole] despised. He ascribed to the
interested views of themselves or their relatives the
declarations of pretended patriots, of whom he said, "All those
men have their price."

Successful crime is dignified with the name of virtue; the good
become the slaves of the impious; might makes read more

Successful crime is dignified with the name of virtue; the good
become the slaves of the impious; might makes right; fear
silences the power of the law.
[Lat., Prosperum ac felix scelus
Virtus vocatur; sontibus patent boni;
Jus est in armis, opprimit leges timor.]