--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is as expedient that a wicked man be…" description: "\"It is as expedient that a wicked man be punished as that a sick man be cured by a physician; for all chastisement is a kind of medicine.\" — Plato" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/plato-103_chastisement_it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be_1695363.jpg" --- # It is as expedient that a wicked man be punished as that a… ![“It is as expedient that a wicked man be punished as that a sick man be cured by a physician; for all chastisement is a kind of medicine.” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/plato-103_chastisement_it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be_1695363.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/plato-103_chastisement_it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be_1695363.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/plato-103_chastisement_it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be_1695363.jpg) > “It is as expedient that a wicked man be punished as that a sick man be cured by a physician; for all chastisement is a kind of medicine.” [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Punishment can be therapeutic, like medicine for the sick, because it corrects behavior. **In simple terms:** Punishment can heal. Key Takeaway Use discipline wisely. Themes justice discipline healing Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - legal sentencing - education reform - behavioral correction - public health policy - parental discipline Key Concepts philosophy ethics retributive justice Questions to Reflect On - When is punishment more harmful than helpful? - How can we ensure discipline is restorative? A Different Perspective Punishment may cause harm if not proportionate or just. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chastisement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chastisement/) [Cured Physician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cured-physician-1095591/) [Doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Man Punished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-punished-1095592/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Physician Chastisement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physician-chastisement-1095590/) [Physicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physicians/) [Punished Sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punished-sick-1095589/) [Punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishment/) [Sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sick/) [Sick man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sick-man/) [Wicked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wicked/) [Wicked man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wicked-man/) ## Related quotes > [it must depend as much upon the patient's willingness to be cured, as upon the physician's skill in curing. There is neither force not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-bottome/it-must-depend-as-much-upon-the-patient-s-willingness-to-be-cured-as/) [Phyllis Bottome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-bottome/) > [“You need to read some Agatha Christie, man. Why? Am I being punished?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-r-lansdale/you-need-to-read-some-agatha-christie-man-why-am-i-being-punished/) [Joe R. Lansdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-r-lansdale/) > [I am a sick man...I am a wicked man. An unattractive man. I think my liver hurts. However, i don't know a fig about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/i-am-a-sick-man-i-am-a-wicked-man-an-unattractive-man-i-think-my/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [He who advises a sick man, whose manner of life is prejudicial to health, is clearly bound first of all to change his patient's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/he-who-advises-a-sick-man-whose-manner-of-life-is-prejudicial-to/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [The reason why wicked men and devils hate God is, because they see Him in relation to themselves. Their hearts rise up in rebellion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-grandison-finney/the-reason-why-wicked-men-and-devils-hate-god-is-because-they-see-him/) [Charles Grandison Finney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-grandison-finney/) > [“Everyone else felt the need to assure me that Mother's death was part of God's plan. Exactly, I wanted to shout after reading this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-martin/everyone-else-felt-the-need-to-assure-me-that-mother-s-death-was-part/) [Valerie Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-martin/) > [“Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works; evil works do not make a wicked man, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/good-works-do-not-make-a-good-man-but-a-good-man-does-good-works-evil/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Often war is waged only in order to show valor; thus an inner dignity is ascribed to war itself, and even some philosophers have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/often-war-is-waged-only-in-order-to-show-valor-thus-an-inner-dignity/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [Did you ever see a wicked man walking on the road and a dog behind a fence barking at him and he dock his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/did-you-ever-see-a-wicked-man-walking-on-the-road-and-a-dog-behind-a/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [If the Lord should bring a wicked man to heaven, heaven would be hell to him; for he who loves not grace upon earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-love/if-the-lord-should-bring-a-wicked-man-to-heaven-heaven-would-be-hell/) [Christopher Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-love/) > [Vengeance comes not slowly either upon you or any other wicked man, but steals silently and imperceptibly, placing its foot on the bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/vengeance-comes-not-slowly-either-upon-you-or-any-other-wicked-man/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [I have read of a glass kept in an idol temple in Smyrna that would make beautiful things appear deformed, and deformed things appear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-venning/i-have-read-of-a-glass-kept-in-an-idol-temple-in-smyrna-that-would/) [Ralph Venning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-venning/) > [When a man has calamity upon calamity the world generally concludes that he must be a very wicked man to deserve them. Perhaps the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-barr/when-a-man-has-calamity-upon-calamity-the-world-generally-concludes/) [Amelia Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-barr/) > [“Ay,’ he continued, as if unaware of my presence, ‘blessed indeed are they who die in the Lord; but the wicked man and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-william-polidori/ay-he-continued-as-if-unaware-of-my-presence-blessed-indeed-are-they/) [John William Polidori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-william-polidori/) > [A wicked man in prayer may lift up his hands, but he cannot lift up his face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/a-wicked-man-in-prayer-may-lift-up-his-hands-but-he-cannot-lift-up/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) ## More by Plato > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [You may be sure, dear Crito, that inaccurate language is not only in itself a mistake: it implants evil in men's souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-may-be-sure-dear-crito-that-inaccurate-language-is-not-only-in/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“If men learn this, it will implant forgetfulness in their souls; they will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/if-men-learn-this-it-will-implant-forgetfulness-in-their-souls-they/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/knowledge-which-is-acquired-under-compulsion-obtains-no-hold-on-the/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/i-do-not-think-it-is-permitted-that-a-better-man-be-harmed-by-a-worse/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Any city, however small, is in fact divided into two, one the city of the poor, the other of the rich; these are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/any-city-however-small-is-in-fact-divided-into-two-one-the-city-of/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-as-nobody-may-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“The love of man to woman is a thing common and of course, and at first partakes more of instinct and passion than of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/the-love-of-man-to-woman-is-a-thing-common-and-of-course-and-at-first/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/strange-times-are-these-in-which-we-live-when-old-and-young-are/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“He was a wise man who invented God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/he-was-a-wise-man-who-invented-god/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [For let me tell you, that the more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/for-let-me-tell-you-that-the-more-the-pleasures-of-the-body-fade-away/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“What shall we say about those spectators, then, who can see a plurality of beautiful things, but not beauty itself, and who are incapable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/what-shall-we-say-about-those-spectators-then-who-can-see-a-plurality/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Geometry existed before creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/geometry-existed-before-creation/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so that nobody will believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-that-nobody-will-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [We must, if we are to be consistent, and if we re to have a real pedigree herd, mate the best of our men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/we-must-if-we-are-to-be-consistent-and-if-we-re-to-have-a-real/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) [Explore all 1,278 Plato quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## More Chastisement quotes > [In order to the attaining of all useful knowledge this is most necessary, that we fear God; we are not qualified to profit by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/in-order-to-the-attaining-of-all-useful-knowledge-this-is-most/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [Let weak Christians know that a spark from heaven, though kindled under green wood that sobs and smokes, yet it will consume all at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/let-weak-christians-know-that-a-spark-from-heaven-though-kindled/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [If men are given food, but no chastisement nor any work, they become insolent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/if-men-are-given-food-but-no-chastisement-nor-any-work-they-become/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Grace and glory differ very little; the one is the seed, the other is the flower; grace is glory militant, glory is grace triumphant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/grace-and-glory-differ-very-little-the-one-is-the-seed-the-other-is/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [To bear adversity with meek submission to the will of God; to endure chastisement with all long-suffering and joyfulness; to appear cheerful amid surrounding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-angell-james/to-bear-adversity-with-meek-submission-to-the-will-of-god-to-endure/) [John Angell James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-angell-james/) > [The more we enjoy of God, the more we are ravished with delight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/the-more-we-enjoy-of-god-the-more-we-are-ravished-with-delight/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [ The tenets of \[the Christian life\] seem paradoxes to carnal men; as first, that a Christian is the only freeman, and other men are… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/the-tenets-of-the-christian-life-seem-paradoxes-to-carnal-men-as/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [Labour may be a burden and a chastisement, but it is also an honour and a glory. Without it, nothing can be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/labour-may-be-a-burden-and-a-chastisement-but-it-is-also-an-honour/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [I should like to know for what reason idleness is so popular with many young people that it is impossible to dissuade them from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/i-should-like-to-know-for-what-reason-idleness-is-so-popular-with/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [A truly humble man is sensible of his natural distance from God; of his dependence on Him; of the insufficiency of his own power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/a-truly-humble-man-is-sensible-of-his-natural-distance-from-god-of/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [I account this body nothing but a close prison to my soul; and the earth a larger prison to my body. I may not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/i-account-this-body-nothing-but-a-close-prison-to-my-soul-and-the/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [Chastisement is designed for our good, to promote our highest interests. Look beyond the rod to the All-wise hand that wields it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/chastisement-is-designed-for-our-good-to-promote-our-highest/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/the-invitation-to-repent-is-rarely-a-voice-of-chastisement-but-rather/) [Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/) > [Nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/nations-like-individuals-are-subjected-to-punishments-and/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [God would not rub so hard if it were not to fetch out the dirt that is ingrained in our natures. God loves purity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gurnall/god-would-not-rub-so-hard-if-it-were-not-to-fetch-out-the-dirt-that/) [William Gurnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gurnall/) [Browse all 130 Chastisement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chastisement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is as expedient that a wicked man be punished as that a sick man be cured by a physician; for all chastisement is a kind of medicine.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plato" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be-punished-as-that-a-sick-man/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chastisement" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be-punished-as-that-a-sick-man/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/plato-103_chastisement_it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be_1695363.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/plato-103_chastisement_it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be_1695363.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/plato-103_chastisement_it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be_1695363.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is as expedient that a wicked man be punished as that a sick man be cured by a physician; for all…” — Plato", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Plato", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is as expedient that a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be-punished-as-that-a-sick-man/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/it-is-as-expedient-that-a-wicked-man-be-punished-as-that-a-sick-man/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```