Cold Quote by Robert Kennedy
“Punishment is not prevention. History offers cold comfort to those who think grievance and despair can be subdued by force.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Democratic National Convention, 1968
Punishment does not stop future wrongdoing; history shows that force often fails to quell deep grievances.
In simple terms: Force alone can't prevent future harm.
Key Takeaway
Seek restorative justice.
Themes
justice
violence
history
policy
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- law reform
- community mediation
- education
- peacebuilding
Key Concepts
restitution
deterrence
social healing
Questions to Reflect On
- Can punishment ever be truly preventative?
- What alternatives address root causes?
A Different Perspective
Punishment may be necessary for accountability.
![“There are historical analogs, which are not exact, of course, but are close enough to be worrisome. This is a whiff of early Nazi Germany. [Adolf] Hitler was appealing to groups with similar grievances, and giving them crazy answers, but at least they were answers; these groups weren't getting…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/081/noam-chomsky-42_analog_there-are-historical-analogs-which-are-n_19392.jpg)
![“This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day [as a Fairfax Justice of the Peace] since I have been at Home. I wish I knew where to get a good one myself; for I find cold Sheets extreamly disagreeable.” quote by George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b92/george-mason-8435_bedfellows_this-cold-weather-has-set-all-the-young_3953.jpg)
