---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: These people have served a longer…"
description: "\"These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.\" — Jeff Greenfield"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/jeff-greenfield-12787_committed_these-people-have-served-a-longer-senten_1163984.jpg"
---

#  These people have served a longer sentence than some…

![“These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.” quote by Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/jeff-greenfield-12787_committed_these-people-have-served-a-longer-senten_1163984.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/jeff-greenfield-12787_committed_these-people-have-served-a-longer-senten_1163984.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/jeff-greenfield-12787_committed_these-people-have-served-a-longer-senten_1163984.jpg)

> “These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.”

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

## About This Quote

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

Some people serve longer sentences than murderers, implying disproportionate punishment.

**In simple terms:** Punishment can be unfairly unequal.

Key Takeaway

Advocate for justice reform.

Themes

justice punishment inequality

Mood

critical concerned

Type

political social

When to use this quote

- prison reform
- legal advocacy
- public policy debates

Key Concepts

criminal law ethics social policy

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do non-violent offenders receive harsher penalties?
- How can sentencing be made fairer?

A Different Perspective

Legal systems are complex and nuanced.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/)

## Related quotes

> [Rather than serving in the U.S. Senate for almost 20 years or having so many other wonderful life experiences, I could have served a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-k-simpson/rather-than-serving-in-the-u-s-senate-for-almost-20-years-or-having/)

[Alan K. Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-k-simpson/)

> [Describing the jury in the OJ Simpson murder trial: These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/describing-the-jury-in-the-oj-simpson-murder-trial-these-people-have/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [I have tons of stuff that, you know, seems like it's a well-constructed sentence but it is not how people talk, it's how people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/i-have-tons-of-stuff-that-you-know-seems-like-it-s-a-well-constructed/)

[Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/)

> [“No, brother-in-law, you have passed a death sentence on your people and on your Queen, your wife, the woman you have vowed to protect.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-simon/no-brother-in-law-you-have-passed-a-death-sentence-on-your-people-and/)

Darren Simon

> [Longevity, for a columnist, is a simple proposition: Once you start, you don't stop. You do it until you die or can no longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-krauthammer/longevity-for-a-columnist-is-a-simple-proposition-once-you-start-you/)

[Charles Krauthammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-krauthammer/)

> [They committed murder, it is true; but their situation may have rendered it inevitable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-hone/they-committed-murder-it-is-true-but-their-situation-may-have/)

Philip Hone

> [Bureaucracy has committed murder here in the greater New Orleans area, and bureaucracy has to stand trial before Congress now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-broussard/bureaucracy-has-committed-murder-here-in-the-greater-new-orleans-area/)

Aaron Broussard

> [Man down is a song about a girl who has committed a murder that she regrets and is completely remorseful about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rihanna/man-down-is-a-song-about-a-girl-who-has-committed-a-murder-that-she/)

[Rihanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rihanna/)

> [“He takes us to a beautiful building where, in 1754, a man killed his own brother. The brothers' father resolved to build this palace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/he-takes-us-to-a-beautiful-building-where-in-1754-a-man-killed-his/)

[Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/)

> [A method of procuring sensations? Do you think then, that a man who has once committed a murder could possibly do the same crime…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/a-method-of-procuring-sensations-do-you-think-then-that-a-man-who-has/)

[Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/)

> [“The blood dried on his good hand, he passed his palm over her hair. It curled about his wrist and sprung back into displace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-s-carnes/the-blood-dried-on-his-good-hand-he-passed-his-palm-over-her-hair-it/)

[V.S. Carnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-s-carnes/)

> [“The world is mediocre,” Jed finally said. “And the person who committed this murder has increased the mediocrity in this world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/the-world-is-mediocre-jed-finally-said-and-the-person-who-committed/)

[Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/)

> [You've committed murder just as much as Hélène did. You killed a fly with a human head, she killed a human with a fly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-clavell/you-ve-committed-murder-just-as-much-as-h-l-ne-did-you-killed-a-fly/)

[James Clavell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-clavell/)

> [You committed murder by, bullying that kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taelor-chardae/you-committed-murder-by-bullying-that-kid/)

[Taelor Chardae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taelor-chardae/)

> [“I regret not, sir. I cannot lay claim to that distinction. I am the Superintendent of the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. Dr. Minor is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-winchester/i-regret-not-sir-i-cannot-lay-claim-to-that-distinction-i-am-the/)

[Simon Winchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-winchester/)

## More by Jeff Greenfield

> [In politics, Bugs Bunny always beats Daffy Duck. Daffy's always going berserk, jumping up and down, yelling. Bugs's got that sly smile, like he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/in-politics-bugs-bunny-always-beats-daffy-duck-daffy-s-always-going/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [There is something discordant about a team of speechwriters and political operatives hammering away to create an image of the 'real, inner' candidate. And,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/there-is-something-discordant-about-a-team-of-speechwriters-and/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [Describing the jury in the OJ Simpson murder trial: These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/describing-the-jury-in-the-oj-simpson-murder-trial-these-people-have/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [History doesn't turn on a dime; it turns on a plugged nickel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/history-doesn-t-turn-on-a-dime-it-turns-on-a-plugged-nickel/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [In every debate, whatever the format, whatever the questions, there is one and only one way to identify the winner: Who commands the room?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/in-every-debate-whatever-the-format-whatever-the-questions-there-is/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [Television is one of the most fickle businesses that there are, you are in favour one minute and out the next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/television-is-one-of-the-most-fickle-businesses-that-there-are-you/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [As a general proposition, campaigns do not linger on the vice presidential nominee. When they have, it's always meant very bad news for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/as-a-general-proposition-campaigns-do-not-linger-on-the-vice/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [More things in politics happen by accident or exhaustion than happen by conspiracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/more-things-in-politics-happen-by-accident-or-exhaustion-than-happen/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [In the many-mansioned house of Alternate History, I occupy a small corner. The trio of what-ifs I chronicled in 'Then Everything Changed' all begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/in-the-many-mansioned-house-of-alternate-history-i-occupy-a-small/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [“It was more than just material prosperity. America in 1960 was a country where restraint and boundaries were the natural conditions in all arenas.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/it-was-more-than-just-material-prosperity-america-in-1960-was-a/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [Well, politics is war, and in war, truth is the first casualty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/well-politics-is-war-and-in-war-truth-is-the-first-casualty/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [When Ronald Reagan chose George H.W. Bush in 1980, it was a clear signal that he was running an inclusive campaign; that he welcomed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/when-ronald-reagan-chose-george-h-w-bush-in-1980-it-was-a-clear/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [When George W. Bush picked Dick Cheney, it was a reassuring sign that the Texas governor would have an experienced, prudent voice at his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/when-george-w-bush-picked-dick-cheney-it-was-a-reassuring-sign-that/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [In the post-Watergate atmosphere of 1975 and 1976, the just-plain-folks personalities of both Ford and Carter seemed the perfect antidote to Nixon's arrogant, isolated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/in-the-post-watergate-atmosphere-of-1975-and-1976-the-just-plain/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

> [The Supreme Being I would sign up for would not prove his omnipotence by saving one life while ending dozens, or hundreds, or thousands.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/the-supreme-being-i-would-sign-up-for-would-not-prove-his-omnipotence/)

[Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

[Explore all 53 Jeff Greenfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/)

## More Committed quotes

> [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/)

[Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/)

> [I've been around in public life for a long time. I think people know what I stand for. They know that I have strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-turnbull/i-ve-been-around-in-public-life-for-a-long-time-i-think-people-know/)

[Malcolm Turnbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-turnbull/)

> [One lesson to learn is that the press and the broadcasters are not neutral. And it seems we have to learn it each time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-loach/one-lesson-to-learn-is-that-the-press-and-the-broadcasters-are-not/)

[Ken Loach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-loach/)

> [If you don't plan to live the Christian life totally committed to knowing your God and to walking in obedience to Him, then don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-arthur/if-you-don-t-plan-to-live-the-christian-life-totally-committed-to/)

[Kay Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-arthur/)

> [I'm not interested in making a diagnostic novel or a concern. I'm 100 percent committed in fiction to the pleasure principle - that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/i-m-not-interested-in-making-a-diagnostic-novel-or-a-concern-i-m-100/)

[Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/)

> [There is no breach of European rules committed by companies from Romania or on Romanian territory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-ponta/there-is-no-breach-of-european-rules-committed-by-companies-from/)

[Victor Ponta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-ponta/)

> [We all have that desire for something special, something committed. We all want to be The One.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-kutcher/we-all-have-that-desire-for-something-special-something-committed-we/)

[Ashton Kutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-kutcher/)

> [We must always refill and ensure there is a critical mass of leaders and activists committed to nonviolence and racial and economic justice who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/we-must-always-refill-and-ensure-there-is-a-critical-mass-of-leaders/)

[Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/)

> [We have committed ourselves to pursue joint policies, but then national governments say, "We aren't bound by that." That is a dramatic situation, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/we-have-committed-ourselves-to-pursue-joint-policies-but-then/)

[Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/)

> [Sitting in your garden is a feat to be worked at with unflagging determination and single-mindedness. . . . I am deeply committed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mirabel-osler/sitting-in-your-garden-is-a-feat-to-be-worked-at-with-unflagging/)

[Mirabel Osler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mirabel-osler/)

> [You don't bargain with terrorists. You don't appease terrorists. And anybody who believes that this is about something we've done has to ask themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chertoff/you-don-t-bargain-with-terrorists-you-don-t-appease-terrorists-and/)

[Michael Chertoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chertoff/)

> [There is no secret formula--only a life committed to a close walk with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dillon-burroughs/there-is-no-secret-formula-only-a-life-committed-to-a-close-walk-with/)

[Dillon Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dillon-burroughs/)

> [Poor human nature, what horrible crimes have been committed in thy name! All wars are wars among thieves who are too cowardly to fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/poor-human-nature-what-horrible-crimes-have-been-committed-in-thy/)

[Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/)

> [Dancing with death meant being committed to killing, committed with your heart and soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/dancing-with-death-meant-being-committed-to-killing-committed-with/)

[Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/)

> [I have sometimes thought that the laws ought not to punish those actions of evil which are committed when the senses are steeped in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/i-have-sometimes-thought-that-the-laws-ought-not-to-punish-those/)

[Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/)

Browse all 2,539 Committed quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jeff Greenfield"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/these-people-have-served-a-longer-sentence-than-some-people-who-have/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Committed"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/these-people-have-served-a-longer-sentence-than-some-people-who-have/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/jeff-greenfield-12787_committed_these-people-have-served-a-longer-senten_1163984.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/jeff-greenfield-12787_committed_these-people-have-served-a-longer-senten_1163984.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/jeff-greenfield-12787_committed_these-people-have-served-a-longer-senten_1163984.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.” — Jeff Greenfield",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jeff Greenfield",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "These people have served a longer...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/these-people-have-served-a-longer-sentence-than-some-people-who-have/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/these-people-have-served-a-longer-sentence-than-some-people-who-have/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
