--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In Scotland over many years we have…" description: "\"In Scotland over many years we have cultivated through our justice system what I hope can be described as a 'culture of compassion.' On the other hand,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c4/keith-o-brien-28437_attitude_in-scotland-over-many-years-we-have-cult_1974590.jpg" --- # In Scotland over many years we have cultivated through our… ![“In Scotland over many years we have cultivated through our justice system what I hope can be described as a 'culture of compassion.' On the other hand, there still exists in many parts of the U.S., if not nationally, an attitude towards the concept of justice which can only be described as a…” quote by Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c4/keith-o-brien-28437_attitude_in-scotland-over-many-years-we-have-cult_1974590.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c4/keith-o-brien-28437_attitude_in-scotland-over-many-years-we-have-cult_1974590.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c4/keith-o-brien-28437_attitude_in-scotland-over-many-years-we-have-cult_1974590.jpg) > “In Scotland over many years we have cultivated through our justice system what I hope can be described as a 'culture of compassion.' On the other hand, there still exists in many parts of the U.S., if not nationally, an attitude towards the concept of justice which can only be described as a 'culture of vengeance.” [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts Scotland's compassionate justice approach with the U.S.'s more punitive, revenge‑oriented mindset, highlighting cultural differences in legal philosophy. **In simple terms:** Scotland shows compassion; US often seeks vengeance. Key Takeaway Promote empathy in justice systems. Themes justice culture compassion revenge law Mood reflective critical hopeful Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - court sentencing - community mediation - policy reform - public education - victim support Key Concepts Restorative justice retributive justice legal philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How can compassion be balanced with accountability? - What steps can shift punitive attitudes? A Different Perspective Compassion may be seen as weak or insufficient for deterrence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Justice system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice-system/) [Scotland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scotland/) [Vengeance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vengeance/) ## Related quotes > [As the welfare state is hollowed out, a culture of compassion is replaced by a culture of violence, cruelty and disposability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/as-the-welfare-state-is-hollowed-out-a-culture-of-compassion-is/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [Clearly, if it is sensible to hold a referendum on independence, it is crucial that we have one on marriage. It is the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/clearly-if-it-is-sensible-to-hold-a-referendum-on-independence-it-is/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [Victims of crime and the wider community deserve a grown-up debate on our criminal justice system and how we can make it work -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/victims-of-crime-and-the-wider-community-deserve-a-grown-up-debate-on/) [Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/) > [I hope people think about the way trials go today, with the justice system overwhelmed by cases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenne-headly/i-hope-people-think-about-the-way-trials-go-today-with-the-justice/) [Glenne Headly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenne-headly/) > [A large portion of American citizens, especially people of color, have lost confidence in our criminal justice system. Many have called for appointing special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/a-large-portion-of-american-citizens-especially-people-of-color-have/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [Boston's justice system is in serious need of reform. Many of its policies and practices are antiquated, expensive, and don't really even make Boston…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-king/boston-s-justice-system-is-in-serious-need-of-reform-many-of-its/) [Shaun King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-king/) > [“Returns righteous people what's theirs and deprives sinners what isn't theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ngel-s-ez-guti-rrez-marino/returns-righteous-people-what-s-theirs-and-deprives-sinners-what-isn/) [Miguel Ángel Sáez Gutiérrez «Marino»](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ngel-s-ez-guti-rrez-marino/) > [Our criminal justice system has swallowed up too many people I love. I am proud to join the ACLU in the fight to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-k-williams/our-criminal-justice-system-has-swallowed-up-too-many-people-i-love-i/) [Michael K. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-k-williams/) > [The people who have been unjustly disenfranchised by our criminal justice system and the people who daily fight for them always have, and always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-jenkins/the-people-who-have-been-unjustly-disenfranchised-by-our-criminal/) [Malcolm Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-jenkins/) > [“Our entire lives we witness individuals, the ones who break some of the most culturally sensitive moral codes, ruined permanently by the media -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/our-entire-lives-we-witness-individuals-the-ones-who-break-some-of/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [“If you're anything like me, You bite your nails, And laugh when you're nervous. You promise people the world, because that's what they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/if-you-re-anything-like-me-you-bite-your-nails-and-laugh-when-you-re/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [America's criminal justice system isn't known for rehabilitation. I'm not sure that, as a society, we are even interested in that concept anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/america-s-criminal-justice-system-isn-t-known-for-rehabilitation-i-m/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [It's encouraging to watch bipartisan leaders from different states recognize the need for fair and rational legislation focused on creating second chances for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-rubin/it-s-encouraging-to-watch-bipartisan-leaders-from-different-states/) [Michael G. Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-rubin/) > [We need to incorporate that age-old concept of redemption into the work that we do in the criminal justice system in California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/we-need-to-incorporate-that-age-old-concept-of-redemption-into-the/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [“Crime and punishment can be summed up in two classifications: there are bad people and there are people who get into bad situations. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-dent-jr/crime-and-punishment-can-be-summed-up-in-two-classifications-there/) [Johnnie Dent Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-dent-jr/) ## More by Keith O'Brien > [Redefining marriage will have huge implications for what is taught in our schools, and for wider society. It will redefine society since the institution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/redefining-marriage-will-have-huge-implications-for-what-is-taught-in/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [I hope that increasing numbers of Christians adopt the practice of wearing a cross in a simple and discreet way as a symbol of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/i-hope-that-increasing-numbers-of-christians-adopt-the-practice-of/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [No Government has the moral authority to dismantle the universally understood meaning of marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/no-government-has-the-moral-authority-to-dismantle-the-universally/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [The church's teaching on marriage is unequivocal, it is uniquely, the union of a man and a woman and it is wrong that governments,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/the-church-s-teaching-on-marriage-is-unequivocal-it-is-uniquely-the/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [If marriage can be redefined so that it no longer means a man and a woman but two men or two women, why stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/if-marriage-can-be-redefined-so-that-it-no-longer-means-a-man-and-a/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [Our Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has given the Government's support to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. It is difficult to imagine a single…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/our-prime-minister-gordon-brown-has-given-the-government-s-support-to/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [Clearly, if it is sensible to hold a referendum on independence, it is crucial that we have one on marriage. It is the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/clearly-if-it-is-sensible-to-hold-a-referendum-on-independence-it-is/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [Same-sex marriage would eliminate entirely in law the basic idea of a mother and a father for every child. It would create a society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/same-sex-marriage-would-eliminate-entirely-in-law-the-basic-idea-of-a/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [Whatever flaws or personal failings afflict them, it remains the case that the overwhelming majority of priests and politicians are honourable and honest -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/whatever-flaws-or-personal-failings-afflict-them-it-remains-the-case/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [I've liked women but I've never felt I wanted to give up my life completely. I've never wanted to go to bed with anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/i-ve-liked-women-but-i-ve-never-felt-i-wanted-to-give-up-my-life/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [I know that many of you do wear such a cross of Christ, not in any ostentatious way, not in a way that might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/i-know-that-many-of-you-do-wear-such-a-cross-of-christ-not-in-any/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [To increase aid to the Pakistan government when religious freedom is not upheld is tantamount to an anti-Christian foreign policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/to-increase-aid-to-the-pakistan-government-when-religious-freedom-is/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [My message to David Cameron, as the head of our government, is to seriously think again about this Robin Hood tax, the tax to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/my-message-to-david-cameron-as-the-head-of-our-government-is-to/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [Perhaps more than ever before, there is that aggressive secularism and there are those who would indeed try to destroy our Christian heritage and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/perhaps-more-than-ever-before-there-is-that-aggressive-secularism-and/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) > [I might be celibate, but I appreciate the wonder of the sacrament of marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-o-brien/i-might-be-celibate-but-i-appreciate-the-wonder-of-the-sacrament-of/) [Keith O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) [Explore all 19 Keith O'Brien quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-o-brien/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In Scotland over many years we have cultivated through our justice system what I hope can be described as a 'culture of compassion.' 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