Those who steal from private individuals spend their lives in stocks and chains; those who steal from the public treasure go dressed in gold and purple.
Marcus Porcius Cato (The Elder)
Roman statesman (234-149 B.C.)
From The Great Thoughts (link is to the 2nd Edition, mine is the 1st Edition–1985)
[At least this part of politics has not changed much in the last 2200 years or so.—Joe]
And from another old-timer (620-564 BC) who had similar thoughts:
“We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.”
– Aesop