Compassion Quote by John Stuart Mill
“Since the state must necessarily provide subsistence for the criminal poor while undergoing punishment, not to do the same for the poor who have not offended is to give a premium on crime.”
About This Quote
Source Book: On Liberty, John Stuart Mill, 1859
The state should support those punished for crimes, and it is unjust to neglect law‑abiding poor, effectively rewarding crime.
In simple terms: Support the punished, don’t neglect the innocent.
Key Takeaway
Treat all poor equally.
Themes
justice
equality
state responsibility
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- welfare policy
- criminal rehabilitation
- public assistance
- taxation decisions
Key Concepts
social contract
distribution of aid
criminal justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance aid for offenders and non‑offenders?
- What policies ensure fair distribution without encouraging crime?
A Different Perspective
Providing aid to criminals may be politically unpopular and costly.
![“[For people] to refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c53/john-stuart-mill-477_doubt_for-people-to-refuse-a-hearing-to-an-opi_63929.jpg)
