If a man who has no property refuses but once to earn nine…
““If a man who has no property refuses but once to earn nine shillings for the State, he is put in prison for a period unlimited by any law that I know, and determined only by the discretion of those who put him there; but if he should steal ninety times nine shillings from the State, he is soon permitted to go at large again.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Thoreau critiques the inconsistency of punishing minor offenses while overlooking larger thefts, highlighting arbitrary legal authority.
In simple terms: Legal systems can be unjust and inconsistent.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and seek fairness.
Themes
justice
law
civil disobedience
authority
ethics
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- activism
- legal reform
- public policy
- education
- community organizing
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- What laws seem unjust today?
- How can individuals responsibly challenge them?
A Different Perspective
Historical context may differ; modern legal systems have safeguards.