The quote from Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove" suggests a profound insight into morality and crime. It implies that the legal system often fails to capture the full extent of human wrongdoing. While the law defines certain actions as criminal, it does not account for the deeper moral failings that can characterize a person's actions. Many actions that may not technically violate the law can still cause significant harm and suffering, highlighting a gap between legal definitions and ethical considerations.

This perspective challenges readers to reflect on what constitutes true moral failing. It emphasizes that a person's worst actions might go unpunished simply because they don't fall under legal scrutiny. McMurtry’s work invites us to explore the complexities of human behavior and the inadequacies of legal frameworks in addressing deeper moral issues. It serves as a reminder that societal rules may not encompass all the ways individuals can inflict pain or wrong one another.