Thieves Quote by Ezra Pound
““ The Lake Isle O God, O Venus, O Mercury, patron of thieves, Give me in due time, I beseech you, a little tobacco-shop, With the little bright boxes piled up neatly upon the shelves And the loose fragrant cavendish and the shag, And the bright Virginia loose under the bright glass cases, And a pair of scales not too greasy, And the whores dropping in for a word or two in passing, For a flip word, and to tidy their hair a bit. O God, O Venus, O Mercury, patron of thieves, Lend me a little tobacco-shop, or install me in any profession Save this damn’d profession of writing, where one needs one’s brains all the time.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Cantos, Book III, 1917
The speaker pleads for a modest, honest livelihood and escape from the burdens of writing, invoking mythic patrons for support.
In simple terms: A writer asks for a simple job to avoid constant mental strain.
Key Takeaway
Find a humble work that sustains you.
Themes
writing
livelihood
mythology
humor
escape
Mood
wry
reflective
longing
Type
literary
personal
plea
When to use this quote
- shopkeeping
- freelance writing
- part‑time jobs
- creative burnout
- financial stability
Key Concepts
Patronage
creative struggle
mundane trade
Questions to Reflect On
- What simple work could relieve your creative pressure?
- How do you balance artistic ambition with practical needs?
A Different Perspective
The plea romanticizes theft and vice, which may not be realistic or ethical.
