"Want of money and the distress of a thief can never be alleged as the cause of his thieving, for many honest people endure greater hardships with fortitude. We must therefore seek the cause elsewhere than in want of money, for that is the miser's passion, not the thief s"

This quote by William Blake is stressing the concept that poverty is not the cause of thievery. He is recommending that there must be some other element that drives people to steal, instead of just a lack of money. He is indicating that thievery is an option, and not a result of hardship. He likewise suggests that those who remain in poverty can still have the strength of character to stay sincere, in spite of their difficulties. This quote is a tip that hardship does not have to cause criminal offense, and that people have the power to make the best choices, even in difficult circumstances. It is a tip that we ought to not evaluate people based on their monetary scenario, but rather on their character and the choices they make.