“One crime has to be concealed by another.”
- c. 4 BC – AD 65
- Roman
- Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist, Stoic Thinker, Advisor to Emperor Nero
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Quote
“One crime has to be concealed by another.”
Explanation
Wrongdoing often leads to further wrongdoing in an attempt to hide the original offense. Seneca the Younger reveals the destructive chain reaction of immoral acts: once a person commits a crime, they frequently find themselves trapped in a cycle of deception, lies, or further crimes to avoid exposure. This deepens guilt and entangles the individual more fully in vice.
The Stoic worldview emphasizes that living virtuously requires consistency and transparency. Seneca’s warning illustrates how a single lapse in integrity compromises one’s ability to act rightly thereafter. Each cover-up builds upon the last, distancing the individual further from peace of mind and moral clarity. What begins as a single wrong becomes a pattern sustained by fear and falsehood.
In today’s context—whether in politics, business, or personal life—this quote underscores the danger of moral compromise. Scandals, fraud, or betrayals often unravel not because of the original act, but because of the tangled web woven to hide it. Seneca’s insight remains a timeless lesson: the path of honesty may be difficult, but the path of concealment is ultimately ruinous.
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