Orson Welles: Class Distinction
on Friday, March 6, 2020Orson Welles Money Quote saying crooks aren’t very smart, unless they do well for themselves, then they are called successful. Orson Welles said:
“Criminals are never very amusing. It’s because they’re failures. Those who make real money aren’t counted as criminals. This is a class distinction, not an ethical problem” — Orson Welles
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In this quote, Orson Welles seems to be critiquing societal perceptions of criminality and wealth. By stating that criminals “are never very amusing” because they are “failures”, and that those who “make real money aren’t counted as criminals”, Welles implies that success determines whether questionable acts are condemned or celebrated.
His comment that this is “a class distinction, not an ethical problem” conveys Welles’ perspective that morality is subjective based on social status rather than objective principles.
Overall, the quote portrays Welles’ viewpoint that society judges wrongdoing not based on justice, but favor toward the powerful, as the wealthy face less censure for acts that would condemn poorer counterparts as “criminals”. Welles appears to be arguing this double standard shapes popular views of right and wrong more than any consistent ethics.