The act of policing is, in order to punish less often, to punish more severely.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Severe punishment is used to deter crime so fewer punishments are needed later.
- In plain terms
- Punish severely to punish less often overall.
- What can you take from it?
- Strict penalties aim to prevent future offenses.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does harsh punishment deter crime effectively?
- What is the right balance in justice?
Another view
Severe punishment can lead to injustice without reducing crime.
More from Napoleon Bonaparte
Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent.
Permalink to quote #153 The allies we gain by victory, will turn against us upon the bare whisper of our defeat.
Permalink to quote #155 Such work as mine is not done twice in a century. I saved the Revolution as it lay dying, I have cleansed it of its crimes and have held it up to the people sh…
Permalink to quote #152
Related quotes
It is often said that the accused should be given an immediate trial; that this and subsequent proceedings should not be hindered by delay; that the uncertaint…
Clarence DarrowClarence Darrow quote #7 The law which attempts a man's life [capital punishment] is impractical, unjust, inadmissible. It has never repressed crime-for a second crime is every day com…
Donatien de SadeDonatien de Sade quote #1 If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.
HammurabiHammurabi quote #3