If he who breaks the law is not punished, he who obeys it…
“If he who breaks the law is not punished, he who obeys it is cheated. This, and this alone, is why lawbreakers ought to be punished: to authenticate as good, and to encourage as useful, law-abiding behavior. The aim of criminal law cannot be correction or deterrence; it can only be the maintenance of the legal order.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Law must punish violators to uphold order; without punishment, law‑abiding citizens are disadvantaged.
In simple terms: Punishment sustains legal order.
Key Takeaway
Support consistent enforcement.
Themes
law
justice
order
Mood
philosophical
critical
Type
normative
questioning
When to use this quote
- court sentencing
- policy making
- civil obedience
Key Concepts
legal theory
social contract
deterrence
Questions to Reflect On
- Is punishment the only way to maintain order?
- What are the limits of legal enforcement?
A Different Perspective
Punishment may not always deter crime; alternative restorative approaches exist.