Stealing, of course, is a crime, and a very impolite thing…
“Stealing, of course, is a crime, and a very impolite thing to do. But like most impolite things, it is excusable under certain circumstances. Stealing is not excusable if, for instance, you are in a museum and you decide that a certain painting would look better in your house, and you simply grab the painting and take it there. But if you were very, very hungry, and you had no way of obtaining money, it would be excusable to grab the painting, take it to your house, and eat it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Stealing is generally wrong but may be justified when extreme hunger forces survival.
In simple terms: Stealing is usually a crime, but can be excusable in dire need.
Key Takeaway
Consider context before judging.
Themes
ethics
survival
morality
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- food scarcity
- emergency situations
- legal dilemmas
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
exceptional circumstances
Questions to Reflect On
- When is breaking law morally permissible?
- How do societies balance law and compassion?
A Different Perspective
Moral judgments can be complex.