--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A crime persevered in a thousand…" description: "\"A crime persevered in a thousand centuries ceases to be a crime, and becomes a virtue. This is the law of custom, and custom supersedes all other forms..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/mark-twain-22_cease_a-crime-persevered-in-a-thousand-centuri_1388316.png" --- # A crime persevered in a thousand centuries ceases to be a… ![“A crime persevered in a thousand centuries ceases to be a crime, and becomes a virtue. This is the law of custom, and custom supersedes all other forms of law.” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/mark-twain-22_cease_a-crime-persevered-in-a-thousand-centuri_1388316.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/mark-twain-22_cease_a-crime-persevered-in-a-thousand-centuri_1388316.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23d/mark-twain-22_cease_a-crime-persevered-in-a-thousand-centuri_1388316.png) > “A crime persevered in a thousand centuries ceases to be a crime, and becomes a virtue. This is the law of custom, and custom supersedes all other forms of law.” [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When a crime becomes widely accepted over centuries, it transforms into a virtue, showing how customs reshape moral law. **In simple terms:** Custom can turn crime into virtue over time. Key Takeaway Beware of changing norms. Themes ethics law custom Mood cautionary reflective Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - legal reform - cultural change - social movements - education Key Concepts philosophy history Questions to Reflect On - How do we discern harmful customs? - When should laws resist custom? A Different Perspective Customs can be harmful despite acceptance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Crime and criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime-and-criminals/) [Criminal law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminal-law/) [Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) [Customs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customs/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Every rascal is not a thief, but every thief is a rascal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/every-rascal-is-not-a-thief-but-every-thief-is-a-rascal/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Crime seems to change character when it crosses a bridge or a tunnel. 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