Circles Quote by Jodi Picoult
“You know why I think we still execute people? Because, even if we don't want to say it out loud-for the really heinous crimes, we want to know that there's a really heinous punishment. Simple as that. We want to bring society closer together-huddle and circle our wagons-and that means getting rid of people we think are incapable of learning a moral lesson. I guess the question is: Who gets to identify those people? And what if, God forbid, they got it wrong?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Book of Two Ways, Jodi Picoult, 2020
Society often punishes the worst offenders to reinforce moral norms, but this raises who decides who is beyond redemption and the risk of wrongful judgment.
In simple terms: Punishment reinforces norms but can misidentify the guilty.
Key Takeaway
Question moral authority and protect against error.
Themes
justice
morality
authority
punishment
social cohesion
Mood
reflective
critical
concerned
Type
ethical
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- criminal sentencing
- public policy debates
- community safety initiatives
- ethical training programs
Key Concepts
retributive justice
moral philosophy
error of judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- Who should decide who is beyond redemption?
- How can we guard against wrongful condemnation?
A Different Perspective
Punishment may not rehabilitate and can perpetuate injustice.
![“Tell them you came, and saw, and looked into my eyes and saw the shadow of the guard receding. Thoughts in time and out of season, the hitchinker stood by the side of the road and levelled his thumb in the calm calculus of reason. [...] Why does my mind circle around you? Why do planets wonder…” quote by Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ae/jim-morrison-1692_bird_tell-them-you-came-and-saw-and-looked-in_18280.jpg)