A World of Thieves

The jury, passing on the prisoner’s life, May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try.

—WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, MEASURE FOR MEASURE

Howsoever a man’s nature be bent, be it even to thieving and violent mischief, he must hold true to it or be miserable in his soul.

—ANONYMOUS

Pike: I’d like to make one good score and back off. Dutch: Back off to what?

—WALON GREEN AND SAM PECKINPAH, THE WILD BUNCH

All the trouble I ever was in was caused by getting caught.

—CORMAC MC CARTHY, CHILD OF GOD