QuoteProject
In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity.
Hunter S. Thompson
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects on the nature of guilt and morality in a corrupt society.

Hunter S. Thompson's quote suggests that in a society defined by wrongdoing, everyone bears some level of guilt; thus, being caught is the only true crime. In environments where dishonesty and theft are the norms, ignorance or foolishness becomes the greatest fault, as it leads to being exploited or punished for actions that are otherwise commonplace.

Themes

SocietyGuiltCrimeCorruptionIgnorance

In practice

Example use cases

Use this quote in a discussion about societal norms and ethics.

More from Hunter S. Thompson

Gambling can turn into a dangerous two-way street when you least expect it. Weird things happen suddenly, and your life can go all to pieces.
Hunter S. ThompsonRead
As things stand now, I am going to be a writer. I'm not sure that I'm going to be a good one or even a self-supporting one, but until the dark thumb of fate presses me to the dust and says 'you are nothing', I will be a writer.
Hunter S. ThompsonRead
Fiction is a bridge to the truth that journalism can't reach.
Hunter S. ThompsonRead
There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge.
Hunter S. ThompsonRead
Objective journalism is one of the main reasons that American politics has been allowed to be so corrupt for so long.
Hunter S. ThompsonRead
When you write for a living and you can't do anything else, you know that sooner or later that the deadline is going to come screaming down on you like a goddamn banshee. There's no avoiding it...So one day you just don't appear at the El Adobe bar anymore; you shut the door, paint the windows black, rent an electric typewriter and become the monster you always were - the writer.
Hunter S. ThompsonRead

Similar quotes

Swift has sailed into his rest; Savage indignation there Cannot lacerate his breast Imitate him if you dare, World-besotted traveler; he Served human liberty.
William Butler YeatsRead
I long for the simplicity of theatre. I want lessons learned, comeuppances delivered, people sorted out, all before your bladder gets distractingly full. That's what I want. What I know is what we all know, whether we'll admit it or not: every attempt to impose the roundness of a well-made play on reality produces a disaster. Life just isn't so, nor will it be made so.
John M. FordRead
Bigotry dwarfs the soul by shutting out the truth.
Edwin Hubbel ChapinRead
Human affairs are so obscure and various that nothing can be clearly known.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
It is not clear that intelligence has any long-term survival value.
Stephen HawkingRead
In England I am not English, in India I am not Indian. I am chained to the 1,000 square miles that is Trinidad; but I will evade that fate yet.
V. S. NaipaulRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Hunter S. Thompson | QuoteProject