“ a man cannot steal, but it accuseth him; a man cannot swear, but it checks him ”
William Shakespeare, Richard III (1597). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Richard III |
| Topic | checking steal |
| Date | 1597 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1591 and 1592 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1503/1503-h/1503-h.htm |
Context
“So, when he opens his purse to give us our reward, thy conscience flies out.
SECOND MURDERER
'Tis no matter; let it go; there's few or none will entertain it.
FIRST MURDERER
What if it come to thee again?
SECOND MURDERER
I'll not meddle with it,—it makes a man coward; a man cannot steal, but it accuseth him; a man cannot swear, but it checks him; a man cannot lie with his neighbour's wife, but it detects him: 'tis a blushing shame-faced spirit that mutinies in a man's bosom; it fills a man full of obstacles: it made me once restore a purse of gold that by chance I found;”
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