I have been studying how I may compare this prison where I live unto the world; Shut up in the prison of their own consciences.
I asked a man in prison once how he happened to be there and he said he had stolen a pair of shoes. I told him if he had stolen a railroad he would be a United States Senator.
Vices are not crimes.
When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out.
Laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law.
Nothing can be more abhorrent to democracy than to imprison a person or keep him in prison because he is unpopular. This is really the test of civilization.
Clemency alone makes us equal to the gods.
I wrote a million words in the first year, and I could never have done that outside of prison.
Three hundred years ago a prisoner condemned to the Tower of London carved on the wall of his cell this sentiment to keep up his spirits during his long imprisonment: “It is not adversity that kills, but the impatience with which we bear adversity.”
You utter a vow, or forge a signature, and you may find yourself bound for life to a monastery, a woman, or prison.
Probably the only place where a man can feel really secure is in a maximum security prison, except for the imminent threat of release.
Women have worked hard; starved in prison; given of their time and lives that we might sit in the House of Commons and take part in the legislating of this country.
The worst prison is not of stone. It is of a throbbing heart, outraged by an infamous life.
The torment of human frustration, whatever its immediate cause, is the knowledge that the self is in prison, its vital force and 'mangled mind' leaking away in lonely, wasteful self-conflict.
To seek the redress of grievances by going to law, is like sheep running for shelter to a bramble bush.
The most anxious man in a prison is the governor.
When I was in prison, I was wrapped up in all those deep books. That Tolstoy crap - people shouldn't read that stuff.
Shyness is the prison of the heart.
Crime is a logical extension of the sort of behavior that often [is] considered perfectly respectable in legitimate business.
I have never been contained except I made the prison.
Let us remember that justice must be observed even to the lowest.
If we were brought to trial for the crimes we have committed against ourselves, few would escape the gallows.
In my country we go to prison first and then become President.
Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X came out of prison stronger.
The worst of prison life, he thought, was not being able to close his door.
