Care Quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero
“Care should be taken that the punishment does not exceed the guilt; and also that some men do not suffer for offenses for which others are not even indicted.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: De Officiis, 44 BC
Punishment should be proportionate to guilt, and innocent people must be protected from wrongful blame.
In simple terms: Punishment must match guilt and protect the innocent.
Key Takeaway
Ensure fairness in justice.
Themes
justice
fairness
proportionality
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- court sentencing
- policy making
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
ethics
law
rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we safeguard against over‑punishment?
- What safeguards protect the innocent?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems can be biased, making proportionality hard to achieve.
![“Things sacred should not only be touched with the hands, but unviolated in thought. [Lat., Res sacros non modo manibus attingi, sed ne cogitatione quidem violari fas fuit.]” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/deb/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_hands_things-sacred-should-not-only-be-touched_11960.jpg)
