Crime Quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
“Prison is not a mere physical horror. It is using a pickaxe to no purpose that makes a prison.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, 1931
Prison is more than physical confinement; it is a self‑inflicted, purposeless labor that creates its own torment.
In simple terms: Prison is a self‑imposed, pointless suffering.
Key Takeaway
Avoid creating unnecessary suffering.
Themes
freedom
psychology
institutionalization
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- penal reform
- mental health
- creative work
Key Concepts
Existentialism
self‑inflicted punishment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize self‑imposed constraints?
- What can replace purposeless labor with meaning?
A Different Perspective
Even physical prisons are less damaging than mental self‑imprisonment.
