Small crimes always precede great crimes. Whoever has been…
“Small crimes always precede great crimes. Whoever has been able to transgress the limits set by law may afterwards violate the most sacred rights; crime, like virtue, has its degrees, and never have we seen timid innocence pass suddenly to extreme licentiousness.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Minor transgressions can desensitize moral boundaries, leading to increasingly severe wrongdoing.
In simple terms: Small crimes can lead to bigger ones.
Key Takeaway
Guard against moral escalation early.
Themes
morality
crime
escalation
ethics
Mood
cautionary
thoughtful
analytical
Type
social
ethical
literary
When to use this quote
- corporate fraud
- political corruption
- personal cheating
- gradual rule-breaking
Key Concepts
philosophy
behavioral science
law
Questions to Reflect On
- What small compromises have you observed growing?
- How can societies prevent moral slippery slopes?
A Different Perspective
Not all small crimes lead to larger ones; context matters.