"Justice is a whore that won't let herself be stiffed, and collects the wages of shame even from the poor"

Karl Kraus's quote, "Justice is a whore that will not let herself be stiffed, and gathers the salaries of embarassment even from the bad", is a provocative and metaphorical critique of the justice system and its relationship with society. At its core, the quote utilizes the metaphor of a whore to describe justice, recommending that justice can be easily purchased, offered, or manipulated, similar to the transactional and often ethically unclear nature of prostitution. Yet, Kraus includes that this "whore" makes sure that she is compensated, highlighting that justice, no matter how flawed, will eventually require its due.

The phrase "won't let herself be stiffed" suggests that justice is unrelenting and insistent on being paid, perhaps reflecting the concept that legal and moral numeration is unavoidable. No matter one's social status or financial power, justice looks for to stabilize accounts, whether by penalty or restitution. This ruthless pursuit might highlight how justice can be both a concern and an inevitability, impacting everybody from the most affluent to the most disenfranchised.

In addition, the reference of "collects the earnings of pity even from the poor" highlights the idea that justice frequently disproportionately impacts the underprivileged. The less fortunate, who might already bear the impact of social and economic inequality, also discover themselves paying a cost for their misbehaviours, highlighting systemic imbalances. This component of the quote recommends a critical view of how justice is administered, pointing to possible predispositions where the poor might deal with harsher penalties compared to those with power and cash.

Overall, Kraus's quote uses a negative however insightful commentary on the nature of justice. It proposes that while justice is an essential part of social order, it is not immune to corruption and might sometimes reflect the injustices of the society it intends to serve. The imagery used difficulties readers to consider the ethical intricacies and practical drawbacks of judicial systems in achieving true fairness and equity.