Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.

Adam Smith

The Theory of Moral Sentiments

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More information about this quote

Topic

Mercy Punishment Legal theory Moral theory

Author

Adam Smith

Source

The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Genre

Philosophical literature

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages

Language

English

Time

1759 1750s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Occupation

Philosopher Economist Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments. London: Andrew Millar/Edinburgh: Alexander Kincaid and J. Bell, 1759, pt. 2, sect 2, ch. 3.

Current Citation

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments, edited by Ryan Patrick Hanley. Penguin, 2010, pt. 2, sect 2, ch. 3.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Adam Smith about mercy: “Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.”
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A quote by Adam Smith about mercy: “Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.”
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A quote by Adam Smith about mercy: “Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1750s

Great Estates may venture more;
Little Boats must keep near Shore.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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More information about this quote
Topic
Appetite for risk Taking risks Risk Rich vs. poor

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)
Source
Poor Richard's Almanack
Medium
Almanac
Statement Type
Proverbs, aphorisms and adages Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
English
Time
1751 1750s 18th century
Era
Colonial America
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard Improved. Philadelphia, 1751.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard Improved." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

Another quote about Moral theory

What is morality in any given time or place? It is what the majority then and there happen to like, and immorality is what they dislike.

More information about this quote
Topic
Moral relativism Moral theory Morality
Speaker
Alfred North Whitehead
Language
English
Time
1941 1940s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Whitehead, Alfred North. Dialogues of Alfred North Whitehead, edited by Lucien Price. David. R. Godine, 2008, ch. 22. Originally from dialogue with Lucien Price, 30 Aug. 1941.

Another quote from Age of Enlightenment

Where-ever Law ends, Tyranny begins.

John Locke

Two Treatises of Government

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More information about this quote
Topic
Rule of law Law Tyranny Political theory Politics

Author

John Locke
Source
Second Treatise of Civil Government Two Treatises of Government
Medium
Treatise
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1690 1690s 17th century
Era
Age of Enlightenment
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Locke, John. "Second Treatise of Civil Government." Two Treatises of Government. London: Awnsham Churchill, 1690, ch. 18, sect. 202.

Current Citation

Locke, John. Second Treatise of Civil Government, edited by C. B. Macpherson. Hackett Publishing Company, 1980, ch. 18, sect. 202.

Another quote of the following type Proverbs, aphorisms and adages

None so blind as those that will not see.

Matthew Henry

Commentaries (Henry)

More information about this quote
Topic
Willful ignorance Ignorance Blindness

Author

Matthew Henry
Source
Commentaries (Henry)
Genre
Religious literature
Statement Type
Proverbs, aphorisms and adages
Language
English
Time
1706 1700s 18th century
Authentication Score 1
Original Citation

Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Commentary. c. 1706, Jeremiah 20.

Current Citation

Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible. Thomas Nelson, 2003, Jeremiah 20.