“He has committed the crime who profits by it.”
- c. 4 BC – AD 65
- Roman
- Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist, Stoic Thinker, Advisor to Emperor Nero
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Quote
“He has committed the crime who profits by it.”
Explanation
Guilt lies not only in the act, but in the benefit derived from it. Seneca the Younger argues that those who profit from wrongdoing share in its moral responsibility, even if they did not directly commit the act. To accept and enjoy the fruits of a crime is to become complicit in its injustice.
This principle is rooted in Stoic ethics, which emphasize moral integrity, justice, and the rejection of ill-gotten gains. Seneca believed that one cannot separate themselves from wrongdoing if they willingly benefit from it, because doing so shows acceptance and silent endorsement. In a society rife with corruption and opportunism, this quote was a rebuke to those who maintained innocence while enjoying unethical advantages.
Today, the idea remains highly relevant—from corporate fraud to systemic injustice, those who profit from unethical systems bear moral responsibility. Whether receiving stolen goods, benefiting from exploitation, or turning a blind eye to inequality while gaining from it, Seneca’s insight demands accountability not just for actions, but for outcomes accepted in silence. To live justly, one must refuse both the crime and its rewards.
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