Clemency Quotes

Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.

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

It is better to risk sparing a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.

It's better that the innocent should live than that the guilty die

In monarchy the crime of treason may admit of being pardoned or lightly punished but the man who dares rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death.

I have always been horrified by death sentences, and I decided, as an individual at least, that I could not participate in one, even by abstention … Tell him from me that I did not add my signature to yours for his sake, nor for the person whom I despise with all the force that is in me.

I'm guilty as sin. I did something morally wrong. I gave in to the prestige and power, the things that went with my job. I knew that the Governor, the man that appointed me, wanted no recommendation for clemency in any death case.

I will pardon Jeff Davis, if he asks for it.

MERCY, n. An attribute beloved of detected offenders.

The offender never pardons.

After all, clemency is by nature outside the rule of law. When conferred upon those already convicted of crimes, it unravels the decision of citizen-jurors who found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Amnesty, n. The state's magnanimity to those offenders whom it would be too expensive to punish.

For them an iota of forgiveness should not be given.

Clemency is the noblest trait which can reveal a true monarch to the world.

President Obama has reduced the sentences of 22 federal prisoners who were arrested for drug-related crimes - eight of whom were serving life sentences. It marks the first time someone has said 'Thanks Obama' but actually meant it.

The Christian - the biblical - concept of mercy toward wrongdoers only exists in relation to justice. Showing mercy, in relation to wrongdoing, means treating someone better than they deserve.

If a man had more than one life, I think a little hanging would not hurt this one; but after he is once dead, we cannot bring him back, no matter how sorry we may be; so the boy shall be pardoned.

We need Grace and forgiveness.

I hope that a move toward clemency with Judge Afiuni would be a step towards the importance of maintaining a properly functioning justice system.

We have the obligation to defy public opinion in the public interest.

The beginning of divine wisdom is clemency and gentleness, which arise from greatness of soul and the bearing of infirmities.

Clinton's pardoning of Marc Rich was off-the-wall.

The wise man will not pardon any crime that ought to be punished, but he will accomplish, in a nobler way, all that is sought in pardoning. He will spare some and watch over some, because of their youth, and others on account of their ignorance. His clemency will not fall short of justice, but will fulfill it perfectly.

The clemency of Princes is often but policy to win the affections of the people.

If the President be connected, in any suspicious manner, with any person, and there be grounds to believe he will shelter him, the House of Representatives can impeach him.