To seek the redress of grievances by going to law, is like sheep running for shelter to a bramble bush.
When it comes to freedom, we are but prisoners of our own desires.
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.
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.”
I was in prison, and you came unto me. Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
~(Jesus Christ) Matthew 25:36, 40
Civilization is maintained by a very few people in a small number of places and we need only some bombs and a few prisons to blot it out altogether.
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.
In my country we go to prison first and then become President.
Self is the only prison that can bind the soul.
And while God had work for Paul, he found him friends both in court and prison. Let persecutors send saints to prison, God can provide a keeper for their turn.
Every instance of a man's suffering the penalty of the law is an instance of the failure of that penalty in effecting its purpose, which is to deter.
How dreadful it is when the right judge judges wrong.
A variety in punishment is of utility, as well as a proportion.
History is full of people who went to prison or were burned at the stake for proclaiming their ideas. Society has always defended itself.
A country is in a bad state, which is governed only by laws; because a thousand things occur for which laws cannot provide, and where authority ought to interpose.
Overlook our deeds, since you know that crime was absent from our inclination.
The object of punishment is prevention from evil; it never can be made impulsive to good.
He who does not prevent a crime when he can, encourages it.
There are only two places in the world where time takes precedence over the job to be done. School and prison.
I was put into jail as I was going to the shoemaker's to get a shoe which was mended. When I was let out the next morning, I proceeded to finish my errand, and, having put on my mended shoe, joined a huckleberry party, who were impatient to put themselves under my conduct; and in half an hour -- for the horse was soon tackled -- was in the midst of a huckleberry field, on one of our highest hills, two miles off, and then the State was nowhere to be seen.
Justice is justice though it's always delayed and finally done only by mistake.
It becomes not a law-maker to be a law-breaker.
Oh who is that young sinner with the handcuffs on his wrist? And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists? And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air? Oh they're taking him to prison for the colour of his hair.
Well, I don't think prisons are the answer to everything, obviously.
A pedestal is as much a prison as any small, confined space.
