---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The prosecution of [Warren] Hastings…"
description: "\"The prosecution of [Warren] Hastings, though he should escape at last, must have good effect. It will alarm the servants of the Company in India, that ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79e/horace-walpole-3357_alarms_the-prosecution-of-warren-hastings-thoug_1849854.jpg"
---

#  The prosecution of \[Warren\] Hastings, though he should…

![“The prosecution of &#91;Warren&#93; Hastings, though he should escape at last, must have good effect. It will alarm the servants of the Company in India, that they may not always plunder with impunity, but that there may be a retrospect; and it will show them that even bribes of diamonds to the Crown may…” quote by Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79e/horace-walpole-3357_alarms_the-prosecution-of-warren-hastings-thoug_1849854.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79e/horace-walpole-3357_alarms_the-prosecution-of-warren-hastings-thoug_1849854.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79e/horace-walpole-3357_alarms_the-prosecution-of-warren-hastings-thoug_1849854.jpg)

> “The prosecution of \[Warren\] Hastings, though he should escape at last, must have good effect. It will alarm the servants of the Company in India, that they may not always plunder with impunity, but that there may be a retrospect; and it will show them that even bribes of diamonds to the Crown may not secure them from prosecution.”

[Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Punishing a high‑ranking official serves as a deterrent to others, showing that even powerful allies cannot escape justice.

**In simple terms:** Prosecution deters future misconduct.

Key Takeaway

Enforce accountability at all levels.

Themes

justice deterrence politics integrity

Mood

cautious critical

Type

analysis historical policy

When to use this quote

- government oversight
- corporate governance
- anti‑corruption policy
- legal reform

Key Concepts

rule of law power dynamics colonial administration

Questions to Reflect On

- How effective are high‑profile prosecutions?
- What reforms accompany legal actions?

A Different Perspective

Punishment alone may not change systemic corruption.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bribe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bribe/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diamond/) [Impunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impunity/) [India](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/india/) [Prosecution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prosecution/) [Retrospect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retrospect/) [Servant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant/)

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