For him that stealeth, or borroweth and returneth not…
““For him that stealeth, or borroweth and returneth not, this book from its owner, let it change into a serpent in his hand and rend him. Let him be struck with palsy, and all his members blasted. Let him languish in pain, crying aloud for mercy, and let there be no surcease to this agony till he sing in dissolution. Let bookworms gnaw his entrails in token of the worm that dieth not, and when at last he goeth to his last punishment, let the flames of hell consume him for ever. Curse on book thieves , from the monastery of San Pedro, Barcelona, Spain””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Stealing a book incurs divine punishment, illustrating moral consequences of theft in vivid, supernatural terms.
In simple terms: Stealing books brings severe curse.
Key Takeaway
Respect others’ property.
Themes
morality
punishment
literature
Mood
dramatic
warning
Type
fiction
didactic
When to use this quote
- library policy
- education ethics
- personal honesty
Key Concepts
theology
mythology
Questions to Reflect On
- Why use extreme imagery for theft?
- Can moral lessons be taught without fear?
A Different Perspective
Exaggerated supernatural retribution.