Men are not hanged for stealing horses, but that horses may not be stolen.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Harsh punishments are intended to deter crime rather than address the individual act itself.
- In plain terms
- Laws punish to stop others from committing crimes, not just to hurt the offender.
- What can you take from it?
- Laws aim to prevent future harm through deterrence.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is deterrence enough for justice?
- What is the purpose of punishment?
Another view
This view can justify disproportionately severe penalties.
More from George Savile
Misspending a man's time is a kind of self-homicide.
Permalink to quote #4 A husband without faults is a dangerous observer.
Permalink to quote #6 Popularity is a crime from the moment it is sought; it is only a virtue where men have it whether they will or no.
Permalink to quote #3
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