Care should be taken that the punishment does not exceed the
guilt; and also that some men do not read more

Care should be taken that the punishment does not exceed the
guilt; and also that some men do not suffer for offenses for
which others are not even indicted.
[Lat., Cavendum est ne major poena quam culpa sit; et ne iisdem
de causis alii plectantur, alii ne appellentur quidem.]

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

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

Punishment is not for revenge, but to lessen crime and reform the
criminal.

Punishment is not for revenge, but to lessen crime and reform the
criminal.

Let the punishment be equal with the offence.
[Lat., Noxiae poena par esto.]

Let the punishment be equal with the offence.
[Lat., Noxiae poena par esto.]

I stew all night in my own grease.

I stew all night in my own grease.

Every sin brings its punishment with it.

Every sin brings its punishment with it.

Something lingering with boiling oil in it . . . something
humorous but lingering--with either boiling oil or melted read more

Something lingering with boiling oil in it . . . something
humorous but lingering--with either boiling oil or melted lead.

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee
to enter into life maimed, read more

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee
to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell,
into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Two of the cruelest, most primitive punishments our town deals out to those who fall from favor are the empty read more

Two of the cruelest, most primitive punishments our town deals out to those who fall from favor are the empty mailbox and the silent telephone.