The Threepenny Opera Criminality Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)

Quote #10

PEACHUM. Saviours on horseback are seldom met with in practice. And the man who's kicked about must kick back. Which all means that injustice should be spared from persecution. (3.9.366-369)

Peachum is a funky figure because, even though he's a crook himself, he seems to believe that he is somehow above murderers and thieves like Mac, or corrupt officials like Jackie. Instead, he sees himself as someone who's been kicked and is therefore justified to kick back.