There was no getting around the stubborn fact that taking sweetmeats was only 'hooking,' while taking bacon and hams and such valuables was plain simple stealing - and there was a command against that in the Bible. So they inwardly resolved that so long as they remained in the business, their piracies should not again be sullied with the crime of stealing.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People rationalize theft by distinguishing between minor and major items using religious justification.
- In plain terms
- They decided taking small snacks was fine but taking big items was wrong because of the Bible.
- What can you take from it?
- Moral reasoning can be twisted to justify specific behaviors.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we justify breaking rules?
- Does intent matter more than action?
Another view
The example is specific to a fictional scenario and may not generalize well.
More from Mark Twain
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