--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When a felon's not engaged in his…" description: "\"When a felon's not engaged in his employment Or maturing his felonious little plans His capacity for innocent enjoyment Is just as great as any honest ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/walter-raleigh-4068_capacity_when-a-felon-s-not-engaged-in-his-employ_2072787.jpg" --- # When a felon's not engaged in his employment Or maturing… ![“When a felon's not engaged in his employment Or maturing his felonious little plans His capacity for innocent enjoyment Is just as great as any honest man's Ah! When constabulary duty's to be done A policeman's lot is not a happy one.” quote by Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/walter-raleigh-4068_capacity_when-a-felon-s-not-engaged-in-his-employ_2072787.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/walter-raleigh-4068_capacity_when-a-felon-s-not-engaged-in-his-employ_2072787.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/walter-raleigh-4068_capacity_when-a-felon-s-not-engaged-in-his-employ_2072787.jpg) > “When a felon's not engaged in his employment Or maturing his felonious little plans His capacity for innocent enjoyment Is just as great as any honest man's Ah! When constabulary duty's to be done A policeman's lot is not a happy one.” [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights the paradox of law enforcement: duty can be burdensome, yet the desire for simple pleasures remains universal. **In simple terms:** Policemen face tough duties but still want normal joys. Key Takeaway Recognize shared humanity despite roles. Themes law duty joy paradox Mood thoughtful serious Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - police work - community service - personal downtime - stress management Key Concepts social roles human nature Questions to Reflect On - How can officers find balance? - What support helps them enjoy simple pleasures? A Different Perspective Duty may outweigh personal joy, limiting freedom. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/) [Capacity Innocent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity-innocent-3737817/) [Constabulary Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constabulary-duty-4009442/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Employment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employment/) [Engaged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engaged/) [Enjoyment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoyment/) [Felonious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felonious-551906/) [Felons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felons/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Honest man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest-man/) [Innocent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocent/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Mature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mature/) [Maturing Felonious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maturing-felonious-3737819/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans/) [Policeman Lot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policeman-lot-4009443/) [Policemen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policemen/) ## Related quotes > [When a felon s not engaged in his employment, Or maturing his felonious little plans, His capacity for innocent enjoyment Is just as great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/when-a-felon-s-not-engaged-in-his-employment-or-maturing-his/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [A policeman's lot is not a happy one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/a-policeman-s-lot-is-not-a-happy-one/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [true love is felonious… You take someone’s breath away… You rob them of the ability to utter a single word… You steal a heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/true-love-is-felonious-you-take-someone-s-breath-away-you-rob-them-of/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [There are 4 kinds of Homicide: felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-are-4-kinds-of-homicide-felonious-excusable-justifiable-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-tatum/i-like-to-believe-that-my-best-hits-border-on-felonious-assault/) [Jack Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-tatum/) > [Whenever I am doing anything else, which is most of the time, even if it is not something like robbing a bank, I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/whenever-i-am-doing-anything-else-which-is-most-of-the-time-even-if/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [True love is felonious...You take someones breath away...You rob them of the ability to utter a single word...You steal a heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/true-love-is-felonious-you-take-someones-breath-away-you-rob-them-of/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Felonious, my old friend, step on in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steely-dan/felonious-my-old-friend-step-on-in/) [Steely Dan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steely-dan/) > [The charges that I am anti-Semitic are simply erroneous, felonious, and unceremonious. In fact, when I need a doctor, I always look for one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/the-charges-that-i-am-anti-semitic-are-simply-erroneous-felonious-and/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [“There are four kinds of homicide: felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy.” —Ambrose Bierce”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-levine/there-are-four-kinds-of-homicide-felonious-excusable-justifiable-and-2/) [Paul Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-levine/) > [There are four kinds of Homicide: felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-are-four-kinds-of-homicide-felonious-excusable-justifiable-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Michelle Alexander's brave and bold new book paints a haunting picture in which dreary felon garb, post-prison joblessness, and loss of voting rights now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lani-guinier/michelle-alexander-s-brave-and-bold-new-book-paints-a-haunting/) [Lani Guinier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lani-guinier/) > [Two million felons have tried to buy a gun and, because of the background check, have been denied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/two-million-felons-have-tried-to-buy-a-gun-and-because-of-the/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [If you take into account prisoners, a large majority of African American men in some urban areas, like Chicago, have been labeled felons for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/if-you-take-into-account-prisoners-a-large-majority-of-african/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [Your thief looks Exactly like the rest, or rather better; 'Tis only at the bar, and in the dungeon, That wise men know your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/your-thief-looks-exactly-like-the-rest-or-rather-better-tis-only-at/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) ## More by Walter Raleigh > [ \[It is a basic principle of a tyrant\] to unarm his people of weapons, money and all means whereby they resist his power. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/it-is-a-basic-principle-of-a-tyrant-to-unarm-his-people-of-weapons/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [But it is hard to know them from friends, they are so obsequious and full of protestations; for a wolf resembles a dog, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/but-it-is-hard-to-know-them-from-friends-they-are-so-obsequious-and/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [Flatterers are the worst kind of traitors, for they will strengthen thy imperfections, encourage thee in all evils, correct thee in nothing, but so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/flatterers-are-the-worst-kind-of-traitors-for-they-will-strengthen/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [Expressive glances Shall be our lances And pops of Sillery Our light artillery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/expressive-glances-shall-be-our-lances-and-pops-of-sillery-our-light/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [The world is itself but a larger prison, out of which some are daily selected for execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/the-world-is-itself-but-a-larger-prison-out-of-which-some-are-daily/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [Whosoever, in writing a modern history, shall follow truth too near the heels, it may happily strike out his teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/whosoever-in-writing-a-modern-history-shall-follow-truth-too-near-the/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [Fain would I, but I dare not; I dare, and yet I may not; I may, although I care not, for pleasure when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/fain-would-i-but-i-dare-not-i-dare-and-yet-i-may-not-i-may-although-i/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [And when I'm introduced to one I wish I thought What Jolly Fun!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/and-when-i-m-introduced-to-one-i-wish-i-thought-what-jolly-fun/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [The gain of lying is nothing else but not to be trusted of any, nor to be believed when we say the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/the-gain-of-lying-is-nothing-else-but-not-to-be-trusted-of-any-nor-to/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [An anthology is like all the plums and orange peel picked out of a cake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/an-anthology-is-like-all-the-plums-and-orange-peel-picked-out-of-a/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [Corrupt seeds bring forth corrupt plants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/corrupt-seeds-bring-forth-corrupt-plants/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [No one can take less pains than to hold his tongue. Hear much, and speak little; for the tongue is the instrument of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/no-one-can-take-less-pains-than-to-hold-his-tongue-hear-much-and/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [In a word, we may gather out of History a policy no less wise than I eternal; by the comparison and application of other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/in-a-word-we-may-gather-out-of-history-a-policy-no-less-wise-than-i/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [Romance is a love affair in other than domestic surroundings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/romance-is-a-love-affair-in-other-than-domestic-surroundings/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [Hath triumphed over time, which besides it nothing but eternity hath triumphed over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/hath-triumphed-over-time-which-besides-it-nothing-but-eternity-hath/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) [Explore all 116 Walter Raleigh quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) ## More Capacity quotes > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [And you can't complain about kissing Emma Watson. Isn't that what everyone in the world wants to do? I've known Emma for a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-redmayne/and-you-can-t-complain-about-kissing-emma-watson-isn-t-that-what/) [Eddie Redmayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-redmayne/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [I was only operating at about 80% of my capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lomu/i-was-only-operating-at-about-80-of-my-capacity/) [Jonah Lomu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lomu/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [Disappointment contains an appointment for doing much better. High expectations mean your higher capacity and belief in abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/disappointment-contains-an-appointment-for-doing-much-better-high/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [For years mental health professionals taught people that they could be psychologically healthy without social support, that “unless you love yourself, no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-d-perry/for-years-mental-health-professionals-taught-people-that-they-could/) [Bruce D. 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