That it would seem convinced that the work of eradicating crimes is not by making punishments familiar, but formidable.

Then instead of our present prisons, which find or make men guilty, which enclose wretches for the commission of one crime, and return them, if returned alive, fitted for the perpetration of thousands; we should see, as in other parts of Europe, places of penitence and solitude, where the accused might be attended by such as could give them repentance if guilty, or new motives to virtue if innocent.

And this, but not the increasing punishments, is the way to mend a state: nor can I avoid even questioning the validity of that right which social combinations have assumed of capitally punishing offences of a slight nature.

In cases of murder their right is obvious, as it is the duty of us all, from the law of self-defence, to cut off that man who has shewn a disregard for the life of another.
Against such, all nature arises in arms; but it is not so against him who steals my property.

Natural law gives me no right to take away his life, as by that the horse he steals is as much his property as mine.