--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One should never spurn a penitent…" description: "\"One should never spurn a penitent criminal: in his despair he may become twice as much a criminal as before.\" — Mikhail Lermontov" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/mikhail-lermontov-9000_crime_one-should-never-spurn-a-penitent-crimin_198323.jpg" --- # One should never spurn a penitent criminal: in his despair… ![“One should never spurn a penitent criminal: in his despair he may become twice as much a criminal as before.” quote by Mikhail Lermontov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/mikhail-lermontov-9000_crime_one-should-never-spurn-a-penitent-crimin_198323.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/mikhail-lermontov-9000_crime_one-should-never-spurn-a-penitent-crimin_198323.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/mikhail-lermontov-9000_crime_one-should-never-spurn-a-penitent-crimin_198323.jpg) > “One should never spurn a penitent criminal: in his despair he may become twice as much a criminal as before.” [Mikhail Lermontov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-lermontov/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A penitent criminal may, when despised, become even more criminal than before. **In simple terms:** Despising a repentant can worsen their behavior. Key Takeaway Avoid harsh judgment of reformed individuals. Themes justice rehabilitation empathy Mood empathetic critical Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - criminal justice - rehabilitation programs - personal relationships Key Concepts redemption social stigma Questions to Reflect On - What impact does judgment have on a reformed person? - How can society support true rehabilitation? A Different Perspective Harsh condemnation can reinforce negative identity and hinder reform. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Criminal Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminal-despair-2077898/) [Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) [Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) [Despair Twice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair-twice-2077901/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Penitent Criminal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/penitent-criminal-2077897/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Spurn Penitent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spurn-penitent-2077900/) [Twice Criminal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twice-criminal-2077899/) ## Related quotes > [A criminal is twice a criminal when he adds hypocrisy to his crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/a-criminal-is-twice-a-criminal-when-he-adds-hypocrisy-to-his-crime/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [Sometimes the law defends plunder and participates in it. 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