He did not think it was wise for any one to steal anything from anybody where the act of taking or profiting was directly and plainly considered stealing.
That was unwise--dangerous--hence wrong.

There were so many situations wherein what one might do in the way of taking or profiting was open to discussion and doubt.

Morality varied, in his mind at least, with conditions, if not climates.

Here, in Philadelphia, the tradition (politically, mind you--not generally) was that the city treasurer might use the money of the city without interest so long as he returned the principal intact.

The city treasury and the city treasurer were like a honey-laden hive and a queen bee around which the drones--the politicians--swarmed in the hope of profit.