It is certain that stealing nourishes courage, strength, skill, tact, in a word, all the virtues useful to a republican system and consequently to our own. Lay partiality aside, and answer me: is theft, whose effect is to distribute wealth more evenly, to be branded as a wrong in our day, under our government which aims at equality? Plainly, the answer is no.

Summary

This quote argues that stealing can actually benefit a republican system and promote equality. The author suggests that stealing cultivates qualities like courage, strength, skill, and tact, which are valuable in a republic. Furthermore, the act of stealing redistributes wealth, aligning with the goal of equality. The quote challenges the notion that theft is inherently wrong in a society that aims for equal distribution of resources.

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