Quotes

Nor cell, nor chain, nor dungeon speaks to the murderer like the voice of solitude.

The idea that the sole aim of punishment is to prevent crime is obviously grounded upon the theory that crime can be prevented, which is almost as dubious as the notion that poverty can be prevented.

I never saw a man who looked With such a wistful eye Upon that little tent of blue Which prisoners call the sky.

Steal goods and you’ll go to prison, steal lands and you are a king.

It is certain that the study of human psychology, if it were undertaken exclusively in prisons, would also lead to misrepresentation and absurd generalizations.

A sick person is a prisoner.

There are dreadful punishments enacted against thieves; but it were much better to make such good provisions, by which every man might be put in a method how to live, and so to be preserved from the fatal necessity of stealing and dying for it.

Organized crime in America takes in over forty billion dollars a year. This is quite a profitable sum, especially when one considers that the Mafia spends very little for office supplies.

One should respect public opinion insofar as is necessary to avoid starvation and keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny.

The mellow sweetness of pumpkin pie off a prison spoon is something you will never forget.

Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X came out of prison stronger.

Fast closed with double grills
And triple gates – the cell
To wicked souls is hell;
But to a mind that's innocent
'Tis only iron, wood and stone.

Adversities such as being homeless and going to prison has made many people stronger.

The refined punishments of the spiritual mode are usually much more indecent and dangerous than a good smack.

Trial by jury itself, instead of being a security to persons who are accused, shall be a delusion, a mockery, and a snare.

The common argument that crime is caused by poverty is a kind of slander on the poor.

To be in prison so long, it's difficult to remember exactly what you did to get there.

Do not lay on the multitude the blame that is due to a few.

Whatever is worthy to be loved for anything is worthy of preservation. A wise and dispassionate legislator, if any such should ever arise among men, will not condemn to death him who has done or is likely to do more service than injury to society. Blocks and gibbets are the nearest objects with legislators, and their business is never with hopes or with virtues.

One crime has to be concealed by another.

I don't like being famous - it is like a prison. And driving for Ferrari would make it far worse.

If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!

The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is the thickness of a prison walls.

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.