Quote by William Blake
Want of money and the distress of a thief can never be alleged as the cause of his thieving, for many honest people endure greater hardships with fortitude. We must therefore seek the cause elsewhere than in want of money, for that is the miser's passion, not the thief's.
Summary
This quote suggests that a lack of money and desperate circumstances can never justify or solely explain why someone turns to a life of theft. It argues that there are many honest individuals who endure extreme hardships without resorting to criminal behavior. Therefore, the cause of thieving cannot be attributed solely to financial desperation, as there must be deeper underlying reasons contributing to a person's choice to steal. It emphasizes that the motivation of thieves should be sought in factors other than simply a desire for money, as that is a characteristic more commonly associated with misers.