"Though the bribe be small, yet the fault is great"

This quote by Edward Coke is a caution against bribery and corruption. He is saying that even if the kickback is small, the fault of taking it is still terrific. He is stressing that bribery is incorrect, no matter how little the kickback may be. He is also suggesting that the effects of taking a bribe can be serious, even if the bribe itself is little. This quote functions as a pointer that bribery is a major offense and must not be taken lightly. It is a pointer that even if the kickback is small, the repercussions of taking it can be excellent. This quote is a pointer that bribery is a serious offense and must not be ignored.