Marcus Tullius Cicero Quotes

The Christian - the biblical - concept of mercy toward wrongdoers only exists in relation to justice. Showing mercy, in relation to wrongdoing, means treating someone better than they deserve.

there is no glory in punishing

Justice should not admit a public's thirst for pure revenge.

Instead of a man of peace and love, I have become a man of violence and revenge.

Just vengeance does not call for punishment.

I don't believe in vengeance. Really, when all is said and done, I probably don't believe in punishment.

I don't believe in the death penalty, but I understand personal vengeance.

Today we have to learn all over again that love for the sinner and love for the person who has been harmed are correctly balanced if I punish the sinner in the form that is possible and appropriate.

I don't wish jail on nobody, not even my worst enemies.

Forgiveness is the noblest vengeance.

I don't think vengeance is much good.

I don't believe in an eye for an eye. I believe in two eyes for an eye.

There is no forgiveness in nature.

Think carefully before asking for justice. Mercy might be safer.

The severest justice may not always be the best policy.

The grieving are surely owed our empathy, but capital punishment can neither right a wrong nor prevent another from happening.

Mercy surpasses justice.

Mercy trumps justice.

Justice is not Healing. Healing cometh only by suffering and patience, and maketh no demand, not even for Justice. Justice worketh only within the bonds of things as they are... and therefore though Justice is itself good and desireth no further evil, it can but perpetuate the evil that was, and doth not prevent it from the bearing of fruit in sorrow.

Mercy is "stronger and more God-like than vengeance".

By paying our other debts, we are equal with all mankind; but in refusing to pay a debt of revenge, we are superior.

Forgiveness is spiritual. Punishment is legal," Leo says. "They're not mutually exclusive.

And how shall you punish those whose remorse is already greater than their misdeeds?

We do not celebrate the death of our enemies.

Vengeance is not the point; change is. But the trouble is that in most people's minds the thought of victory and the thought of punishing the enemy coincide.