Looting

Looting is the act of stealing, or the taking of goods by force, typically in the midst of a military, political, or other social crisis, such as war, natural disasters (where law and civil enforcement are temporarily ineffective), or rioting. The proceeds of all these activities can be described as booty, loot, plunder, spoils, or pillage.

Quotes

• We may as bootless spend our vain command
  Upon the enraged soldiers in their spoil
  As send precepts to the leviathan
  To come ashore.
  • William Shakespeare, Henry V (F1), III, 3, the King before the gates of Harfleur

• Pirates may make cheap pennyworths of their pillage,
  And purchase friends, and give to courtesans,
  Still revelling like lords till all be gone.
  • William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 1, I, 1, York

• I’ll be so bold to take what they have left.
  The cry of “Talbot” serves me for a sword;
  For I have loaden me with many spoils,
  Using no other weapon but his name.
  • William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 1, II, 1, Soldier

Prize of war

• Our greedy seamen rummage every hold,
  Smile on the booty of each wealthier chest;
  And, as the priests who with their gods make bold,
  Take what they like, and sacrifice the rest.
  • John Dryden, Annus Mirabilis (1667)