"Dans ce monde, compagnons de bord, le péché qui paye son chemin peut voyager librement et sans passeport tandis que la Vertu, si elle est pauvre, est arrêtée à toutes les frontières"
— Herman Melville
Simplified Meaning:
In life, people who do wrong things but have money or power can often do whatever they want and go wherever they please. They do not face much trouble or resistance. On the other hand, good and honest people who are poor or do not have much influence often face many challenges. It's like a person trying to travel without the right documents—they get stopped and blocked at every turn. For example, think of a rich person who breaks the law but can hire the best lawyers to avoid jail. Meanwhile, a poor person might struggle to get even basic help or support, even if they have done nothing wrong. To live by this wisdom, it’s important to remember that money and power can often protect people who do not act morally. Being aware of this can help you understand the unfairness in the world and encourage you to support fair treatment for everyone, no matter their wealth or status.
