This quote suggests that poverty and lack of intelligence are the primary causes of crime. The metaphorical use of ‘mother’ and ‘father’ implies that these two factors are like parents, giving birth to and nurturing crime. Poverty, being the ‘mother’, is seen as the immediate, nurturing environment where crime grows. Lack of intelligence, as the ‘father’, is viewed as the contributing factor that, combined with poverty, creates a fertile ground for crime.

The ‘poverty’ mentioned in the quote doesn’t necessarily refer solely to financial poverty. It can also denote a poverty of opportunities, resources, or social support. People living in such conditions may resort to crime as a means of survival or as an expression of desperation and frustration.

The ‘lack of intelligence’ doesn’t simply refer to low IQ, but rather a lack of knowledge, wisdom, or understanding. It could also mean the inability to make wise choices or to see beyond immediate circumstances. Therefore, people who lack such intelligence might resort to crime because they can’t see any other options or don’t understand the long-term consequences of their actions.

In today’s world, this quote could be applied to the socio-economic issues that many societies face. For instance, in communities plagued by poverty and poor education, crime rates tend to be high. Therefore, addressing poverty and improving education could be effective strategies for reducing crime.

In terms of personal development, this quote suggests the importance of both improving one’s circumstances (overcoming ‘poverty’) and increasing one’s knowledge and understanding (addressing ‘lack of intelligence’). It encourages individuals to seek opportunities for growth and learning, as this can help them make better choices and avoid falling into negative patterns of behavior.