William Petty Quotes
Why should not insolvent Thieves be rather punished with slavery then death? so as being slaves they may be forced to as much labour, and as cheap fare, as nature will endure, and thereby become as two men added to the Commonwealth, and not as one taken away from it;
This objection to capital punishment is an economic one. The colonies needed labor badly. Petty argued that if a criminal were executed the society would lose 1 laborer whereas if he were made a slave, then 1 laborer will be gained. Note that his assumption, typical of the times, that a rich thief would pay a fine but a poor one be executed.
William Petty, 1623-1687, English Economist & Demographer, A Treatise of Taxes & Contributions, 1662
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
This quotation is surprising to many because the National Association of Evangelicals is a very conservative organization which is usually at the right wing of political and social issues. However, religions are generally more complex with nuanced positions compared to political parties. On the issue of Prisons, the National Association of Evangelicals is at the left wing of the political spectrum.
Most people reading this think at first that if comes out of the Middle Ages, but it is quite contemporary expressing a point of view that holds that the state is but the instrument of and subservient to God as defined by Protestant Fundamentalism.
The issue of immigration was being debated in Congress.
This is the earliest surviving attempt of the Romans to formulate a legal code.
There is not much difference between England then and America now.
Sir William Petty FRS was an English economist, physician, scientist and philosopher. He first became prominent serving Oliver Cromwell and the Commonwealth in Ireland. He developed efficient methods to survey the land that was to be confiscated and given to Cromwell's soldiers. He also remained a significant figure under King Charles II and King James II, as did many others who had served Cromwell.
