Quotes

Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.

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.

The number of laws is constantly growing in all countries and, owing to this, what is called crime is very often not a crime at all, for it contains no element of violence or harm.

Virtue pardons the wicked, as the sandal-tree perfumes the axe which strikes it.

It is impossible to go through life without trust: That is to be imprisoned in the worst cell of all, oneself.

Vices are not crimes.

Taught from infancy that beauty is woman's sceptre, the mind shapes itself to the body, and roaming round its gilt cage, only seeks to adorn its prison.

The only difference between me and my fellow actors is that I've spent more time in jail.

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.

They were being driven to a prison, through no fault of their own, in all probability for life. In comparison, how much easier it would be to walk to the gallows than to this tomb of living horrors!

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

You utter a vow, or forge a signature, and you may find yourself bound for life to a monastery, a woman, or prison.

Faults of the head are punished in this world, those of the heart in another; but as most of our vices are compound, so also is their punishment.

In prison, you get the chance to see who really loves you.

It is true you cannot eat freedom and you cannot power machinery with democracy. But then neither can political prisoners turn on the light in the cells of a dictatorship.

Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them.

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.

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

There are only two places in the world where time takes precedence over the job to be done. School and prison.

There is no greater punishment of wickedness that that it is dissatisfied with itself and its deeds.

The severest justice may not always be the best policy.

Law is merely the expression of the will of the strongest for the time being, and therefore laws have no fixity, but shift from generation to generation.

I don't like jail, they got the wrong kind of bars in there.

We are prisoners of ideas.

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.