JB/141/013/002

Click Here To Edit

The boundaries minimum of punishment
are is more easily clearly marked than its maximum.
What is too little is more easily observed than what
is too much. What is not sufficient is easily seen
but it is not possible so exactly to distinguish what an
excess. After all An approximation only can be
attained. The irregularities in the force of temptation
compel the legislation to increase his punishments
till they rise above theare more than sufficientare not merely sufficient to restrain the ordinary
desires of men, but also the violence of their desires
when unusually excited.

The greatest dangers lies in an error on the minimum side because in this case the punishment is inefficacious but this error is not likely to occur a high degree of attention sufficint for its escape, and when it does exist, it is at the same time clear and manifest and easy to be remared. An error on the maximum side, on the contrary is that to which legislators + men in general are naturally inclined, antipathy or a want of compassion for in who rare represented as dangerous and vile pushes them onward to an undue severity. It is on this side therefore that we should take precautions as on this side there has been shown the greatest disposition to err.

One general observation may here be added that in determining the proportion between punishments and offences dearness and simplicity must not be sacrificed to an endeavor to attain mathematical accuracy. By pushing the principle to its utmost extent the at proportionality would be rendered ridiculous. It is cruel to right it, it is absurd to pursue it into all its defaits. Clearness purity implicity, expemplarity are more desireable qualities in a law than proportionality.—

Identifier: | JB/141/013/002"JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 141.
Date_1		Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	141	Main Headings	rationale of punishment
Folio number	013	Info in main headings field
Image	002	Titles
Category	copy/fair copy sheet	Number of Pages	4
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	f10 / / f11 /
Penner	richard smith	Watermarks	[[watermarks::edward wise 1824 [britannia with shield emblem]]]
Marginals		Paper Producer	franz ludwig tribolet
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year	1824
Notes public		ID Number	48230
Box Contents