---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It strikes me you might place your gifts…"
description: "\"“It strikes me you might place your gifts better. Why should you send powder to a ruffian who will use it to commit crimes? But for the deplorable weak..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86c/prosper-m-rim-e-49204_bandit_it-strikes-me-you-might-place-your-gifts_1799149.jpg"
---

#  It strikes me you might place your gifts better. Why…

![“It strikes me you might place your gifts better. Why should you send powder to a ruffian who will use it to commit crimes? But for the deplorable weakness every one here seems to have for the bandits, they would have disappeared out of Corsica long ago.&quot; &quot;The worst men in our country are not those…” quote by Prosper Mérimée](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86c/prosper-m-rim-e-49204_bandit_it-strikes-me-you-might-place-your-gifts_1799149.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86c/prosper-m-rim-e-49204_bandit_it-strikes-me-you-might-place-your-gifts_1799149.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86c/prosper-m-rim-e-49204_bandit_it-strikes-me-you-might-place-your-gifts_1799149.jpg)

> ““It strikes me you might place your gifts better. Why should you send powder to a ruffian who will use it to commit crimes? But for the deplorable weakness every one here seems to have for the bandits, they would have disappeared out of Corsica long ago." "The worst men in our country are not those who are 'in the country.'" "Give them bread, if it so please you. But I will not have you supply them with ammunition." "Brother," said Colomba, in a serious voice, "you are master here, and everything in this house belongs to you. But I warn you that I will give this little girl my mezzaro , so that she may sell it; rather than refuse powder to a bandit.””

[Prosper Mérimée](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prosper-m-rim-e/)

## About This Quote

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

We must not aid criminals; instead, we should with resources to those who resist oppression.

**In simple terms:** Do not help wrongdoers; support the righteous.

Key Takeaway

Refuse to empower bandits, aid the oppressed.

Themes

morality justice resistance resource allocation

Mood

reflective serious

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

- war zones
- revolutionary movements
- humanitarian aid
- political negotiations

Key Concepts

ethical choice power of aid political loyalty

Questions to Reflect On

- What criteria decide who deserves aid?
- How to prevent resources from falling into wrong hands?

A Different Perspective

Aid can be misused if not carefully directed.

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