Crime Quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky
“To kill someone for committing murder is a punishment incomparably worse than the crime itself. Murder by legal sentence is immeasurably more terrible than murder by brigands.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Crime and Punishment, 1866
Legal retribution can be morally worse than the original wrongdoing, suggesting that state‑sanctioned killing exceeds private murder in cruelty.
In simple terms: State killing can be more cruel than private murder.
Key Takeaway
Consider the ethics of capital punishment.
Themes
justice
morality
state power
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- court sentencing
- legislative debates
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
retributive justice
ethical paradox
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever just to kill a murderer?
- How does state violence affect societal values?
A Different Perspective
Legal punishment may not deter crime and can perpetuate violence.
