--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Society takes upon itself the right to…" description: "\"Society takes upon itself the right to inflict appalling punishment on the individual, but it also has the supreme vice of shallowness, and fails to re..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/oscar-wilde-16_abandon_society-takes-upon-itself-the-right-to-i_415077.jpg" --- # Society takes upon itself the right to inflict appalling… ![“Society takes upon itself the right to inflict appalling punishment on the individual, but it also has the supreme vice of shallowness, and fails to realize what it has done. When the man's punishment is over, it leaves him to himself; that is to say, it abandons him at the very moment when its…” quote by Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/oscar-wilde-16_abandon_society-takes-upon-itself-the-right-to-i_415077.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/oscar-wilde-16_abandon_society-takes-upon-itself-the-right-to-i_415077.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/oscar-wilde-16_abandon_society-takes-upon-itself-the-right-to-i_415077.jpg) > “Society takes upon itself the right to inflict appalling punishment on the individual, but it also has the supreme vice of shallowness, and fails to realize what it has done. When the man's punishment is over, it leaves him to himself; that is to say, it abandons him at the very moment when its highest duty towards him begins.” [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Society imposes harsh punishments yet abandons individuals when they need support, exposing its shallow morality. **In simple terms:** Society punishes then neglects. Key Takeaway Demand accountability and compassion. Themes justice societal neglect morality Mood sad thoughtful Type ethical dramatic When to use this quote - legal systems - community support - rehabilitation Key Concepts ethics social responsibility human dignity Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance punishment with care? - What responsibilities follow after punishment ends? A Different Perspective May overlook systemic causes of punishment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandon/) [Appalling Punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appalling-punishment-3526699/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [Highest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highest/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Man Punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-punishment-1034492/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Over it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/over-it/) [Punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishment/) [Punishment Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishment-individual-3526697/) [Punishment Leaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishment-leaves-3692008/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) [Shallowness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shallowness/) [Supreme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supreme/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) ## Related quotes > [“Society takes upon itself the right to inflict appalling punishment on the individual, but it also has the supreme vice of shallowness, and fails…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/society-takes-upon-itself-the-right-to-inflict-appalling-punishment/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Eve was blamed for the fall of man, and in return all women to come were to inheret her karmic responsibility for the so-called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/eve-was-blamed-for-the-fall-of-man-and-in-return-all-women-to-come/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Work is not man's punishment. 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