Society prepares the crime; the criminal
Society prepares the crime; the criminal commits it.
It isn't true that convicts live like
It isn't true that convicts live like animals: animals have more room to move around.
I know not whether laws be right, or
I know not whether laws be right, or whether laws be wrong; All that we know who lie in gaol is that the wall is strong; And that each day is like a year, a year whose days are long.
No written law has been more binding
No written law has been more binding than unwritten custom supported by popular opinion.
When it comes to freedom, we are but
When it comes to freedom, we are but prisoners of our own desires.
It is the spirit and not the form of law
It is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive.
The only effect of public punishment is
The only effect of public punishment is to show the rabble how bravely it can be borne; and that every one who hath lost a toe-nail hath suffered worse.
Whatever is worthy to be loved for
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.
A country is in a bad state, which is
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.
It is better that ten guilty persons
It is better that ten guilty persons escape, than that one innocent suffer.
While crime is punished it yet
While crime is punished it yet increases.
Crimes lead one into another; they who
Crimes lead one into another; they who are capable of being forgers are capable of being incendiaries.
Reality becomes a prison to those who
Reality becomes a prison to those who can’t get out of it.
Forgiveness, that noblest of all
Forgiveness, that noblest of all self-denial, is a virtue which he alone who can practise in himself can willingly believe in another.
Prison makes you a better judge of
Prison makes you a better judge of character. You pick up on people much faster.
Overlook our deeds, since you know that
Overlook our deeds, since you know that crime was absent from our inclination.
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, Can be retentive to the strength of spirit; But life, being weary of these worldly bars, Never lacks power to dismiss itself.
Organized crime in America takes in over
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.
What is crime amongst the multitude, is
What is crime amongst the multitude, is only vice among the few.
The idea that the sole aim of punishment
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.
The guilt of enforced crimes lies on
The guilt of enforced crimes lies on those who impose them.
Clemency alone makes us equal to the
Clemency alone makes us equal to the gods.
Body is a home, a prison and a grave.
Body is a home, a prison and a grave.
A pedestal is as much a prison as any
A pedestal is as much a prison as any small, confined space.
To trial bring her stolen charms, and
To trial bring her stolen charms, and let her prison be my arms.
