Small trespasses punished; large crimes condoned — Mythoi

Motif

Small trespasses punished; large crimes condoned.

The nature of life. · Life's inequalities. · Justice and injustice. · view the constellation · filed as U11

Within the index

Filed under Justice and injustice.

2 finer motifs beneath it

Ass punished for stealing mouthful of grass; lion and wolf forgiven for eating sheep He who steals much called king; he who steals little called robber

Filed beside it

Largest burdens laid on smallest asses: best offices to most ignorant men Unworthy rewarded instead of the worthy Fool laughs at the absurdities he sees about him. (1) Sees a man who is to die that day buy shoes. (2) Sees sheriff leading a man to the gallows: a big thief leading a little one. (3) Sees farmer weeping at funeral of his child, while priest (the real father) sings The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge Justice depends on the point of view Theft to avoid starvation forgiven Swallow killed in court house by snake laments injustice in house of justice

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “trespasses” · wander