---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Under the rules of a society that cannot…"
description: "\"Under the rules of a society that cannot distinguish between profit and profiteering, between money defined as necessity and money defined as luxury, m..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a76/lewis-h-lapham-7190_defined_under-the-rules-of-a-society-that-cannot_1336830.jpg"
---

#  Under the rules of a society that cannot distinguish…

![“Under the rules of a society that cannot distinguish between profit and profiteering, between money defined as necessity and money defined as luxury, murder is occasionally obligatory and always permissible.” quote by Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a76/lewis-h-lapham-7190_defined_under-the-rules-of-a-society-that-cannot_1336830.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a76/lewis-h-lapham-7190_defined_under-the-rules-of-a-society-that-cannot_1336830.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a76/lewis-h-lapham-7190_defined_under-the-rules-of-a-society-that-cannot_1336830.jpg)

> “Under the rules of a society that cannot distinguish between profit and profiteering, between money defined as necessity and money defined as luxury, murder is occasionally obligatory and always permissible.”

[Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Critiques a society that blurs profit with exploitation, making murder seem permissible

**In simple terms:** When profit overrides morality, violence becomes justified

Key Takeaway

Question moral cost of profit‑driven policies

Themes

ethics profit violence

Mood

critical analytical

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

- business regulation
- legal reform
- public discourse

Key Concepts

capitalism moral philosophy social critique

Questions to Reflect On

- How does profit motive influence policy decisions?
- What safeguards can prevent moral erosion?

A Different Perspective

Economic incentives can obscure ethical boundaries

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Luxury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luxury/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Murder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murder/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/)

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