Ill gotten gains seldom prosper.

Wealth acquired through theft, fraud, or other wrongful conduct is unlikely to bring lasting benefit. The saying links dishonest acquisition with eventual loss, trouble, or failure rather than secure success.

It also serves as a moral warning: apparent short-term advantage does not make wrongdoing worthwhile. As “seldom” indicates, it offers a general observation, not a certain prediction that every wrongful gain will fail.

Use this proverb to caution against profiting by dishonest or unfair means, or to comment on gains that later bring legal, social, financial, or personal consequences. It suits reflective moral discussion more than a precise prediction of every case.