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When the king asked him what he meant by infesting the sea, the pirate defiantly replied: _x000D_ _x000D_ The same as you do when you infest the whole world;_x000D_ _x000D_ but because I do it with a little ship I am called a robber,_x000D_ _x000D_ and because you do it with a great fleet, you are an emperor.
Saint Augustine
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote critiques the double standard in how actions are perceived based on scale and authority.

In this quote, the pirate draws a parallel between his actions and those of the king, highlighting the hypocrisy in labeling his piracy as criminal while the king's conquest is seen as legitimate and regal. It underscores the idea that power dynamics often dictate morality and perceptions of right and wrong, suggesting that both are engaging in similar acts, but the outcomes are judged differently due to their status.

Themes

PowerHypocrisyMoralityPiracyAuthorityDouble Standard

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about ethics in politics, this quote can illustrate the disparity in moral judgment between powerful and less powerful individuals.

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