Horace Quotes

The severest justice may not always be the best policy.

One threatens the innocent who spares the guilty.

A great deal may be done by severity, more by love, but most by clear discernment and impartial justice.

Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.

He who is only just is cruel. Who on earth could live were all judged justly?

Justice that love gives is a surrender, justice that law gives is a punishment.

The Criminal Code of every country partakes so much of necessary severity that without an easy access to exceptions it in favor of unfortunate guilt, justice would wear it a countenance too sanguinary and cruel.

Justice should not admit a public's thirst for pure revenge.

I don't believe in an eye for an eye. I believe in two eyes for an eye.

There is no forgiveness in nature.

He who is not just is severe, he who is not wise is sad.

They do injury to the good who spares the bad.

All pain is a punishment, and every punishment is inflicted for love as much as for justice.

The essence of justice is mercy.

Think carefully before asking for justice. Mercy might be safer.

The law is cruel.

To me, I think justice is part of forgiving, if it is well done with love.

He that hath deserved hanging may be glad to escape with a whipping.

When critics sit in judgment it is hard to tell where justice leaves off and vengeance begins.

To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is cruelty.

I don't believe in vengeance. Really, when all is said and done, I probably don't believe in punishment.

Nothing can make injustice just but mercy.

Public emergencies may require the hand of severity to fall heavily on those who are not personally guilty, but compassion prompts, and ever urges to milder methods.

That king who pardons the perpetrator of violence quickly perishes and incurs hatred.

Let the punishment fit the crime. Noxiae poena par esto.