Crime & punishment > Essay on crimes and punishments

Chimes and Punishments, $i~
CHAP. XII.
Of the Intent of Punifhments.
FROM the foregoing confiderations it is evi¬
dent, that the intent of punifhments is not to
torment a fenfibie being, nor to undo a crime
already committed. Is it poffible that torments,
and ufelefs cruelty, the inftruments of furious
fanaticifm, or of impotency of tyrants, can be
authorifed by a political body? which, fo far
from being influenced by'paflion, fliould be the
cool moderator of the paflions of individuals.
Can the groans of a tortured wretch recal the
time paft, or reverie. the crime he has com¬
mitted ?
The end of punifhment, therefore, is no
other, than to prevent others from committing
the like offence. Such punifhments, therefore,
and fuch a mode of inflicting them, ought to be
chofen, as will make ilrongeft and moft lading
impreflions on the minds of others, with the
leaft torment to the body of the criminal..
CHAP.'.