[stuartcr]

Don’t forget the silverware ValJean also stole.

[OldNavyVet]

I went to my well-worn copy of Les Miserables to find some quotes to give you and, in the process, remembered that Jean ValJean's theft of the silver was from a Monseigneur that dedicated himself to helping the poor and starving.

Given that, when the police hauled Jean ValJean back to the Monseigneur with the suspected "stolen" silverware, the Monseigneur (lying) said that he'd given the silver to Jean ValJean and told Jean that he'd forgotten ("Why didn't you take them along with your cutlery?") to take the silver candlesticks. (quote is from page 105)

That, was the moment that changed Jean ValJean's life; he consequently used his capital gain to build a capitalistic fortune, that he used (for the rest of his life) to help the poor.

If you naven't read it, might I suggest you do. It changed my life.