Men are rewarded or punished not for what they do but for how their acts are defined. That is why read more

Men are rewarded or punished not for what they do but for how their acts are defined. That is why men are more interested in better justifying themselves than in better behaving themselves.

Some have been beaten till they know
What wood a cudgel's of by th' blow:
Some kick'd read more

Some have been beaten till they know
What wood a cudgel's of by th' blow:
Some kick'd until they can feel whether
A shoe be Spanish or neat's leather.

He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.

He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.

Many a man spanks his children for the things his own father should have spanked out of him.

Many a man spanks his children for the things his own father should have spanked out of him.

When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers.

When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers.

My object all sublime
I shall achieve in time--
To let the punishment fit the crime.

My object all sublime
I shall achieve in time--
To let the punishment fit the crime.

It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his
neck, and he cast into the sea, read more

It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his
neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of
these little ones.

Whipping and abuse are like laudanum: you have to double the dose as the sensibilities decline.

Whipping and abuse are like laudanum: you have to double the dose as the sensibilities decline.

Crime and punishment grow out of one stem.

Crime and punishment grow out of one stem.