A crafty knave needs no broker.

A crafty knave needs no broker.

'Tis no sin love's fruits to steal;
But the sweet thefts to reveal;
To be taken, to read more

'Tis no sin love's fruits to steal;
But the sweet thefts to reveal;
To be taken, to be seen,
These have crimes accounted been.

Obviously crime pays, or there'd be no crime.

Obviously crime pays, or there'd be no crime.

Overlook our deeds, since you know that crime was absent from our
inclination.
[Lat., Factis ignoscite nostris
read more

Overlook our deeds, since you know that crime was absent from our
inclination.
[Lat., Factis ignoscite nostris
Si scelus ingenio scitis abesse meo.]

Successful crime is dignified with the name of virtue; the good
become the slaves of the impious; might makes read more

Successful crime is dignified with the name of virtue; the good
become the slaves of the impious; might makes right; fear
silences the power of the law.
[Lat., Prosperum ac felix scelus
Virtus vocatur; sontibus patent boni;
Jus est in armis, opprimit leges timor.]

Set a thief to catch a thief.

Set a thief to catch a thief.

Many commit the same crimes with a very different result. One
bears a cross for his crime; another a read more

Many commit the same crimes with a very different result. One
bears a cross for his crime; another a crown.
[Lat., Multi committunt eadem diverso crimina fato;
Ille crucem scleris pretium tulit, hic diadema.]

The punishment of criminals should be of use; when a man is hanged he is good for nothing

The punishment of criminals should be of use; when a man is hanged he is good for nothing

Crime is not punished as an offense against God, but as
prejudicial to society.
- James read more

Crime is not punished as an offense against God, but as
prejudicial to society.
- James Anthony Froude,