List Famous Crime Quotes in English with Images

Here is a list of famous quotes about crime, along with interpretations of their meanings and examples for context:

1. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." – Edmund Burke

• Meaning: This quote suggests that evil (or crime) prevails not because of the strength of wrongdoers, but because good people fail to take action. It emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to act against injustice and crime.

• Example: If community members witness a crime but choose to remain silent out of fear or indifference, the criminal is more likely to continue their behavior unchecked. Inaction can empower criminals by giving them a sense of impunity.

2. "He who does not punish evil commands it to be done." – Leonardo da Vinci

• Meaning: This quote highlights the idea that not taking action against wrongdoing is essentially endorsing it. Failing to punish crime or evil deeds enables them to continue, suggesting a moral responsibility to address injustice.

• Example: A government that turns a blind eye to corruption within its ranks is effectively encouraging further corruption. The absence of consequences allows criminal behavior to flourish.

3. "The punishment should fit the crime." – Cesare Beccaria

• Meaning: This quote advocates for proportional justice, meaning that the severity of punishment should correspond to the seriousness of the crime committed. Excessive or inadequate punishment is seen as unjust.

• Example: A person who commits a minor offense, such as shoplifting a small item, should not receive the same punishment as someone who commits a violent crime. The justice system must maintain balance by ensuring that penalties are appropriate to the crime.

4. "Society prepares the crime; the criminal commits it." – Henry Thomas Buckle

• Meaning: Buckle is suggesting that societal conditions—poverty, inequality, corruption—create environments where crime is more likely to occur. Criminals, in a sense, are a product of the society they come from.

• Example: In a neighborhood with high unemployment and limited access to education, crime rates might be higher because people feel they have fewer legitimate opportunities to improve their circumstances. This reflects the idea that social factors contribute to criminal behavior.

5. "A man who has nothing can still have something to lose." – Michael Connelly

• Meaning: This quote implies that even those who appear to have nothing—such as people in desperate or criminal situations—still have their dignity, their humanity, or the possibility of redemption to lose. Engaging in crime risks not just legal consequences but also moral and personal losses.

• Example: A person living in poverty who resorts to crime may still have relationships, self-respect, or future opportunities at stake. Crime may further damage their life in ways beyond immediate material concerns.

6. "If you want to make enemies, try to change something." – Woodrow Wilson

• Meaning: This quote suggests that attempting to reform society or address entrenched problems—such as crime or corruption—often creates opposition. People who benefit from the status quo may resist change, leading to conflict.

• Example: A politician who tries to implement stricter anti-corruption laws may face backlash from those who profit from the current system. This reflects how challenging crime and injustice can provoke resistance from those involved.

7. "The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws." – Tacitus

• Meaning: This quote argues that when a government becomes corrupt, it tends to create an excessive number of laws to control the population, often for the purpose of maintaining power rather than delivering justice. More laws do not necessarily mean a more just society; they can mask deeper systemic issues.

• Example: In authoritarian regimes, numerous and strict laws are often enacted to suppress dissent and control the population, even though the leaders themselves might be engaged in criminal activities like embezzlement or fraud.

8. "Behind every great fortune there is a crime." – Honoré de Balzac

• Meaning: Balzac suggests that large amounts of wealth are often accumulated through unethical or illegal means. Crime or exploitation may be hidden behind many significant fortunes.

• Example: In the case of monopolistic business practices, where a company might illegally suppress competition, the resulting wealth could be seen as the product of corporate crime. Historically, many powerful business empires have been built through unethical or corrupt practices.

9. "Crime does not pay... as well as politics." – Alfred E. Newman (MAD Magazine)

• Meaning: This tongue-in-cheek quote suggests that involvement in politics, with its potential for corruption and manipulation, can sometimes be more lucrative than traditional crime. It highlights a cynical view of political power and its abuses.

• Example: Political figures who engage in activities like bribery, embezzlement, or favoritism may accumulate wealth or influence far beyond what they could gain through regular criminal activities.

10. "To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace." – Confucius

• Meaning: Confucius suggests that gaining wealth and status in a corrupt or unjust society reflects poorly on the individual, implying that their success may be tainted by wrongdoing. Success should be achieved through ethical means.

• Example: In a society where corruption is rampant, someone who gains wealth or influence may have done so through bribery, exploitation, or other unethical means, and thus their success is not honorable.

11. "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." – William Shakespeare, Henry VI

• Meaning: In context, this line is spoken by a character suggesting that lawyers must be eliminated to create chaos and commit unlawful acts without facing legal challenges. The quote is often misinterpreted as an attack on lawyers, but in Shakespeare’s play, it refers to how law and order can be obstacles to those plotting criminal or tyrannical schemes.

• Example: In a dictatorship or a corrupt regime, leaders may want to undermine legal institutions to carry out crimes or oppressive policies without opposition from the judicial system.

12. "Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for the law." – Louis D. Brandeis

• Meaning: Brandeis, a U.S. Supreme Court justice, warns that when governments break their own laws or engage in illegal activities, it sets a dangerous example for society, encouraging others to disregard the law as well. Legal violations by those in power can erode respect for the rule of law.

• Example: When government officials engage in illegal surveillance or corruption, it can lead to broader societal lawlessness, as people lose trust in the legal system and feel justified in breaking the law themselves.

These quotes highlight various dimensions of crime, from societal responsibility and government corruption to personal ethics and justice. Each quote reflects an understanding of crime’s broader implications, whether it's about the causes of crime, the consequences for society, or the moral responsibility to act against wrongdoing.