I am mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, the sale of a book can become read more

I am mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, the sale of a book can become a subject of inquiry, and of criminal inquiry too.

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

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

It takes all sorts of people to make the underworld.

It takes all sorts of people to make the underworld.

We enact many laws that manufacture criminals, and then a few that punish them.

We enact many laws that manufacture criminals, and then a few that punish them.

A crafty knave needs no broker.

A crafty knave needs no broker.

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.]

You are not to do evil that good may come of it.
[Lat., Non faciat malum, ut inde veniat read more

You are not to do evil that good may come of it.
[Lat., Non faciat malum, ut inde veniat bonum.]

Disgrace does not consist in the punishment, but in the crime.
[It., Non nella pena,
Nel delitto read more

Disgrace does not consist in the punishment, but in the crime.
[It., Non nella pena,
Nel delitto e la infamia.]

Purposelessness is the fruitful mother of crime.

Purposelessness is the fruitful mother of crime.