Quote by John Gay

A fox may steal your hens, Sir, a whore your health and pence, Sir, your daughter rob your chest, Sir, your wife may steal your rest, Sir, a thief your goods and plate. But this is all but picking, with rest, pence, chest and chicken; it ever was decreed, Sir, if lawyer's hand is feed, Sir, he steals your whole estate.

A fox may steal your hens, Sir, a whore your health and penc

Summary

This quote speaks to the deceptive nature of lawyers, suggesting that while other individuals may steal certain aspects of one's life, lawyers have the power to steal an individual's entire estate. The comparison is made between the various potential thieves - a fox, a whore, a daughter, a wife, and a thief - and their limited abilities to take away specific things such as chickens, health, money, rest, goods, or plate. However, the line suggests that it is the lawyer who poses the greatest threat, implying that once they are paid or bribed, they have the power to strip a person of their entire wealth and possessions.

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