第10章

Inthosestatesagoodlegislatorislessbentuponpunishingthanpreventingcrimes；heismoreattentivetoinspiregoodmoralsthantoinflictpenalties。

ItisaconstantremarkoftheChineseauthors[24]thatthemorethepenallawswereincreasedintheirempire，thenearertheydrewtowardsarevolution。Thisisbecausepunishmentswereaugmentedinproportionasthepublicmoralswerecorrupted。

Itwouldbeaneasymattertoprovethatinall，oralmostall，thegovernmentsofEurope，penaltieshaveincreasedordiminishedinproportionasthosegovernmentsfavouredordiscouragedliberty。

Indespoticgovernments，peoplearesounhappyastohaveagreaterdreadofdeaththanregretforthelossoflife；consequentlytheirpunishmentsoughttobemoresevere。Inmoderatestatestheyaremoreafraidoflosingtheirlivesthanapprehensiveofthepainofdying；

thosepunishments，therefore，whichdeprivethemsimplyoflifearesufficient。

Meninexcessofhappinessormiseryareequallyinclinabletoseverity；

witnessconquerorsandmonks。Itismediocrityalone，andamixtureofprosperousandadversefortune，thatinspiresuswithlenityandpity。

Whatweseepractisedbyindividualsisequallyobservableinregardtonations。Incountriesinhabitedbysavageswholeadaveryhardlife，andindespoticgovernments，wherethereisonlyonepersononwhomfortunelavishesherfavours，whilethemiserablesubjectslieexposedtoherinsults，peopleareequallycruel。Lenityreignsinmoderategovernments。

Wheninreadinghistoryweobservethecrueltyofthesultansinadministrationofjustice，weshudderattheverythoughtofthemiseriesofhumannature。

Inmoderategovernments，agoodlegislatormaymakeuseofeverythingbywayofpunishment。IsitnotveryextraordinarythatoneofthechiefpenaltiesatSpartawastodepriveapersonofthepoweroflendingouthiswife，orofreceivingthewifeofanotherman，andtoobligehimtohavenocompanyathomebutvirgins？Inshort，whateverthelawcallsapunishmentissucheffectively。

10。OftheancientFrenchLaws。IntheancientFrenchlawswefindthetruespiritofmonarchy。Incasesrelatingtopecuniarymulcts，thecommonpeoplearelessseverelypunishedthanthenobility。[25]Butincriminal[26]casesitisquitethereverse；thenoblemanloseshishonourandhisvoiceincourt，whilethepeasant，whohasnohonourtolose，undergoesacorporalpunishment。

11。ThatwhenPeoplearevirtuousfewPunishmentsarenecessary。ThepeopleofRomehadsomeshareofprobity。Suchwastheforceofthisprobitythatthelegislatorhadfrequentlynofurtheroccasionthantopointouttherightroad，andtheyweresuretofollowit；onewouldimaginethatinsteadofpreceptsitwassufficienttogivethemcounsels。

Thepunishmentsoftheregallaws，andthoseoftheTwelveTables，werealmostallabolishedinthetimeoftherepublic，inconsequenceeitheroftheValerian[27]orofthePorcianlaw。[28]Itwasneverobservedthatthisstepdidanymannerofprejudicetotheciviladministration。

ThisValerianlaw，whichrestrainedthemagistratesfromusingviolentmethodsagainstacitizenthathadappealedtothepeople，inflictednootherpunishmentonthepersonwhoinfringeditthanthatofbeingreputedadishonestman。[29]

12。OfthePowerofPunishments。Experienceshowsthatincountriesremarkableforthelenityoftheirlawsthespiritoftheinhabitantsisasmuchaffectedbyslightpenaltiesasinothercountriesbysevererpunishments。

Ifaninconvenienceorabusearisesinthestate，aviolentgovernmentendeavourssuddenlytoredressit；andinsteadofputtingtheoldlawsinexecution，itestablishessomecruelpunishment，whichinstantlyputsastoptotheevil。Butthespringofgovernmentherebylosesitselasticity；theimaginationgrowsaccustomedtothesevereaswellasthemilderpunishment；andasthefearofthelatterdiminishes，theyaresoonobligedineverycasetohaverecoursetotheformer。Robberiesonthehighwaybecamecommoninsomecountries；inordertoremedythisevil，theyinventedthepunishmentofbreakinguponthewheel，theterrorofwhichputastopforawhiletothismischievouspractice。Butsoonafterrobberiesonthehighwaysbecameascommonasever。

Desertioninourdayshasgrowntoaverygreatheight；inconsequenceofwhichitwasjudgedpropertopunishthosedelinquentswithdeath；

andyettheirnumberdidnotdiminish。Thereasonisverynatural；asoldier，accustomedtoventurehislife，despises，oraffectstodespise，thedangeroflosingit。Heishabituatedtothefearofshame；

itwouldhavebeenthereforemuchbettertohavecontinuedapunishment[30]whichbrandedhimwithinfamyforlife；thepenaltywaspretendedtobeincreased，whileitreallydiminished。

Mankindmustnotbegovernedwithtoomuchseverity；weoughttomakeaprudentuseofthemeanswhichnaturehasgivenustoconductthem。Ifweinquireintothecauseofallhumancorruptions，weshallfindthattheyproceedfromtheimpunityofcriminals，andnotfromthemoderationofpunishments。

Letusfollownature，whohasgivenshametomanforhisscourge；andlettheheaviestpartofthepunishmentbetheinfamyattendingit。

Butiftherebesomecountrieswhereshameisnotaconsequenceofpunishment，thismustbeowingtotyranny，whichhasinflictedthesamepenaltiesonvillainsandhonestmen。

Andifthereareotherswheremenaredeterredonlybycruelpunishments，wemaybesurethatthismust，inagreatmeasure，arisefromtheviolenceofthegovernmentwhichhasusedsuchpenaltiesforslighttransgressions。

Itoftenhappensthatalegislator，desirousofremedyinganabuse，thinksofnothingelse；hiseyesareopenonlytothisobject，andshuttoitsinconveniences。Whentheabuseisredressed，youseeonlytheseverityofthelegislator；yetthereremainsanevilinthestatethathassprungfromthisseverity；themindsofthepeoplearecorrupted，andbecomehabituatedtodespotism。

Lysander[31]havingobtainedavictoryovertheAthenians，theprisonerswereorderedtobetried，inconsequenceofanaccusationbroughtagainstthatnationofhavingthrownallthecaptivesoftwogalleysdownaprecipice，andofhavingresolvedinfullassemblytocutoffthehandsofthosewhomtheyshouldchancetomakeprisoners。TheAthenianswerethereforeallmassacred，exceptAdymantes，whohadopposedthisdecree。LysanderreproachedPhylocles，beforehewasputtodeath，withhavingdepravedthepeople’sminds，andgivenlessonsofcrueltytoallGreece。

"TheArgives，"saysPlutarch，[32]"havingputfifteenhundredoftheircitizenstodeath，theAtheniansorderedsacrificesofexpiation，thatitmightpleasethegodstoturntheheartsoftheAtheniansfromsocruelathought。"

Therearetwosortsofcorruptions——onewhenthepeopledonotobservethelaws；theotherwhentheyarecorruptedbythelaws：anincurableevil，becauseitisintheveryremedyitself。

13。InsufficiencyoftheLawsofJapan。Excessivepunishmentsmayevencorruptadespoticgovernment；ofthiswehaveaninstanceinJapan。

Herealmostallcrimesarepunishedwithdeath，[33]becausedisobediencetosogreatanemperorasthatofJapanisreckonedanenormouscrime。

Thequestionisnotsomuchtocorrectthedelinquentastovindicatetheauthorityoftheprince。Thesenotionsarederivedfromservitude，andareowingespeciallytothis，thatastheemperorisuniversalproprietor，almostallcrimesaredirectlyagainsthisinterests。

Theypunishwithdeathliesspokenbeforethemagistrate；[34]aproceedingcontrarytonaturaldefence。

Eventhingswhichhavenottheappearanceofacrimeareseverelypunished；forinstance，amanthatventureshismoneyatplayisputtodeath。

Trueitisthatthecharacterofthispeople，soamazinglyobstinate，capricious，andresoluteastodefyalldangersandcalamities，seemstoabsolvetheirlegislatorsfromtheimputationofcruelty，notwithstandingtheseverityoftheirlaws。Butaremenwhohaveanaturalcontemptfordeath，andwhoripopentheirbelliesfortheleastfancy——aresuchmen，Isay，mendedordeterred，orratheraretheynothardened，bythecontinualprospectofpunishments？

Therelationsoftravellersinformus，withrespecttotheeducationoftheJapanese，thatchildrenmustbetreatedtherewithmildness，becausetheybecomehardenedtopunishment；thattheirslavesmustnotbetooroughlyused，becausetheyimmediatelystandupontheirdefence。Wouldnotoneimaginethattheymighteasilyhavejudgedofthespiritwhichoughttoreignintheirpoliticalandcivilgovernmentfromthatwhichshouldprevailintheirdomesticconcerns？

Awiselegislatorwouldhaveendeavouredtoreclaimpeoplebyajusttemperatureofpunishmentsandrewards；bymaximsofphilosophy，morality，andreligion，adaptedtothosecharacters；byaproperapplicationoftherulesofhonour，andbytheenjoymentofeaseandtranquillityoflife。Andshouldhehaveentertainedanyapprehensionthattheirminds，beinginuredtothecrueltyofpunishments，wouldnolongerberestrainedbythoseofamildernature，hewouldhaveconductedhimself[35]inanothermanner，andgainedhispointbydegrees，inparticularcasesthatadmittedofanyindulgence，hewouldhavemitigatedthepunishment，tillheshouldhavebeenabletoextendthismitigationtoallcases。

Butthesearespringstowhichdespoticpowerisastranger；itmayabuseitself，andthatisallitcando：inJapanithasmadeitsutmosteffort，andhassurpassedevenitselfincruelty。

Asthemindsofthepeoplegrewwildandintractable，theywereobligedtohaverecoursetothemosthorridseverity。

Thisistheorigin，thisthespirit，ofthelawsofJapan。Theyhadmorefury，however，thanforce。TheysucceededtheextirpationofChristianity；butsuchunaccountableeffortsareaproofoftheirinsufficiency。Theywantedtoestablishagoodpolicy，andtheyhaveshowngreatermarksoftheirweakness。

WehaveonlytoreadtherelationoftheinterviewbetweentheEmperorandtheDeyroatMeaco。[36]Thenumberofthosewhoweresuffocatedormurderedinthatcitybyruffiansisincredible；youngmaidsandboyswerecarriedoffbyforce，andfoundafterwardsexposedinpublicplaces，atunseasonablehours，quitenaked，andsewninlinenbags，topreventtheirknowingwhichwaytheyhadpassed；robberieswerecommittedinallparts；thebelliesofhorseswererippedopen，tobringtheirriderstotheground；andcoacheswereoverturned，inordertostriptheladies。TheDutch，whoweretoldtheycouldnotpassthenightonthescaffoldswithoutexposingthemselvestothedangerofbeingassassinated，camedown，&c。

Ishallheregiveoneinstancemorefromthesamenation。TheEmperorhavingabandonedhimselftoinfamouspleasures，livedunmarried，andwasconsequentlyindangerofdyingwithoutissue。TheDeyrosenthimtwobeautifuldamsels；onehemarriedoutofrespect，butwouldnotmeddlewithher。Hisnursecausedthefinestwomenoftheempiretobesentfor，butalltonopurpose。Atlength，anarmourer’sdaughterhavingpleasedhisfancy，[37]hedeterminedtoespouseher，andhadason。Theladiesbelongingtothecourt，enragedtoseeapersonofsuchmeanextractionpreferredtothemselves，stifledthechild。ThecrimewasconcealedfromtheEmperor；forhewouldhavedelugedthelandwithblood。Theexcessiveseverityofthelawshinders，therefore，theirexecution：whenthepunishmentsurpassesallmeasure，theyarefrequentlyobligedtopreferimpunitytoit。

14。OftheSpiritoftheRomanSenate。UndertheconsulateofAciliusGlabrioandPiso，theAsilianlaw[38]wasmadetopreventtheintriguingforplaces。Diosays[39]thatthesenateengagedtheconsulstoproposeit，byreasonthatC。Cornelius，thetribune，hadresolvedtocausemoreseverepunishmentstobeestablishedagainstthiscrime；towhichthepeopleseemedgreatlyinclined。Thesenaterightlyjudgedthatimmoderatepunishmentswouldstrike，indeed，aterrorintopeople’sminds，butmusthavealsothiseffect，thattherewouldbenobodyafterwardstoaccuseorcondemn；whereas，byproposingmoderatepenalties，therewouldbealwaysjudgesandaccusers。

15。OftheRomanLawsinrespecttoPunishments。IamstronglyconfirmedinmysentimentsuponfindingtheRomansonmyside；andIthinkthatpunishmentsareconnectedwiththenatureofgovernmentswhenIbeholdthisgreatpeoplechanginginthisrespecttheircivillaws，inproportionastheyalteredtheirformofgovernment。

Theregallaws，madeforfugitives，slaves，andvagabonds，wereverysevere。ThespiritofarepublicwouldhaverequiredthatthedecemvirsshouldnothaveinsertedthoselawsintheirTwelveTables；butmenwhoaimedattyrannywerefarfromconformingtoarepublicanspirit。

Livysays，[40]inrelationtothepunishmentofMetiusSuffetius，dictatorofAlba，whowascondemnedbyTulliusHostiliustobefastenedtotwochariotsdrawnbyhorses，andtornasunder，thatthiswasthefirstandlastpunishmentinwhichtheremembranceofhumanityseemedtohavebeenlost。Heismistaken；theTwelveTablesarefullofverycruellaws。[41]

Thedesignofthedecemvirsappearsmoreconspicuousinthecapitalpunishmentpronouncedagainstlibellersandpoets。Thisisnotagreeabletothegeniusofarepublic，wherethepeopleliketoseethegreatmenhumbled。Butpersonswhoaimedatthesubversionoflibertywereafraidofwritingsthatmightreviveitsspirit。[42]

Aftertheexpulsionofthedecemvirs，almostallthepenallawswereabolished。Itistruetheywerenotexpresslyrepealed；butasthePorcianlawhadordainedthatnocitizenofRomeshouldbeputtodeath，theywereofnofurtheruse。

ThisisexactlythetimetowhichwemayreferwhatLivysays[43]oftheRomans，thatnopeoplewereeverfonderofmoderationinpunishments。

Butiftothelenityofpenallawsweaddtherightwhichthepartyaccusedhadofwithdrawingbeforejudgmentwaspronounced，weshallfindthattheRomansfollowedthespiritwhichIhaveobservedtobenaturaltoarepublic。

Sulla，whoconfoundedtyranny，anarchy，andliberty，madetheCornelianlaws。Heseemedtohavecontrivedregulationsmerelywithaviewtocreatenewcrimes。Thusdistinguishinganinfinitenumberofactionsbythenameofmurder，hefoundmurderersinallparts；andbyapracticetoomuchfollowed，helaidsnares，sowedthorns，andopenedprecipices，wheresoeverthecitizenssettheirfeet。

AlmostallSulla’slawscontainedonlytheinterdictionoffireandwater。TothisC？saraddedtheconfiscationofgoods[44]becausetherich，bypreservingtheirestatesinexile，becamebolderintheperpetrationofcrimes。

Theemperors，havingestablishedamilitarygovernment，soonfoundthatitwasasterribletotheprinceastothesubject；theyendeavouredthereforetotemperit，andwiththisviewhadrecoursetodignities，andtotherespectwithwhichthosedignitieswereattended。

Thegovernmentthusdrewneareralittletomonarchy，andpunishmentsweredividedintothreeclasses：[45]thosewhichrelatedtotheprincipalpersonsinthestate，[46]whichwereverymild：thosewhichwereinflictedonpersonsofaninferiorrank，[47]andweremoresevere；

and，infine，suchasconcernedonlypersonsofthelowestcondition，[48]whichwerethemostrigorous。

Maximinus，thatfierceandstupidprince，increasedtherigourofthemilitarygovernmentwhichheoughttohavesoftened。Thesenatewereinformed，saysCapitolinus，[49]thatsomehadbeencrucified，othersexposedtowildbeasts，orsewnupintheskinsofbeastslatelykilled，withoutanymannerofregardtotheirdignity。Itseemedasifhewantedtoexercisethemilitarydiscipline，onthemodelofwhichhepretendedtoregulatetheciviladministration。

InTheConsiderationontheRiseandDeclensionoftheRomanGrandeur[50]wefindinwhatmannerConstantinechangedthemilitarydespotismintoamilitaryandcivilgovernment，anddrewnearertomonarchy。Therewemaytracethedifferentrevolutionsofthisstate，andseehowtheyfellfromrigourtoindolence，andfromindolencetoimpunity。

16。OfthejustProportionbetweenPunishmentsandCrimes。Itisanessentialpoint，thatthereshouldbeacertainproportioninpunishments，becauseitisessentialthatagreatcrimeshouldbeavoidedratherthanasmaller，andthatwhichismorepernicioustosocietyratherthanthatwhichisless。

"Animpostor，[51]whocalledhimselfConstantineDucas，raisedagreatinsurrectionatConstantinople。Hewastakenandcondemnedtobewhipped；butuponinformingagainstseveralpersonsofdistinction，hewassentencedtobeburnedasacalumniator。"Itisveryextraordinarythattheyshouldthusproportionthepunishmentsbetweenthecrimeofhightreasonandthatofcalumny。

ThisputsmeinmindofasayingofCharlesII，KingofGreatBritain。

Hesawamanonedaystandinginthepillory；uponwhichheaskedwhatcrimethemanhadcommitted。Hewasanswered，"PleaseyourMajesty，hehaswrittenalibelagainstyourministers。""Thefool！"saidtheKing，"whydidhenotwriteagainstme？Theywouldhavedonenothingtohim。"

"SeventypersonshavingconspiredagainsttheEmperorBasil，heorderedthemtobewhipped，andthehairoftheirheadsandbeardstobeburned。

Astag，oneday，havingtakenholdofhimbythegirdlewithhishorn，oneofhisretinuedrewhissword，cutthegirdle，andsavedhim；uponwhichheorderedthatperson’sheadtobecutoff，forhaving，"saidhe，"drawnhisswordagainsthissovereign。"[52]Whocouldimaginethatthesameprincecouldeverhavepassedtwosuchdifferentjudgments？

Itisagreatabuseamongstustocondemntothesamepunishmentapersonthatonlyrobsonthehighwayandanotherwhorobsandmurders。

Surely，forthepublicsecurity，somedifferenceshouldbemadeinthepunishment。

InChina，thosewhoaddmurdertorobberyarecutinpieces：[53]butnotsotheothers；tothisdifferenceitisowingthatthoughtheyrobinthatcountrytheynevermurder。

InRussia，wherethepunishmentofrobberyandmurderisthesame，theyalwaysmurder。[54]Thedead，saythey，tellnotales。

Wherethereisnodifferenceinthepenalty，thereshouldbesomeintheexpectationofpardon。InEnglandtheynevermurderonthehighway，becauserobbershavesomehopesoftransportation，whichisnotthecaseinrespecttothosethatcommitmurder。

Lettersofgraceareofexcellentuseinmoderategovernments。Thispowerwhichtheprincehasofpardoning，exercisedwithprudence，iscapableofproducingadmirableeffects。Theprincipleofdespoticgovernment，whichneithergrantsnorreceivesanypardon，deprivesitoftheseadvantages。

17。OftheRack。Thewickednessofmankindmakesitnecessaryforthelawtosupposethembetterthantheyreallyare。Hencethedepositionoftwowitnessesissufficientinthepunishmentofallcrimes。Thelawbelievesthem，asiftheyspokebythemouthoftruth。Thuswejudgethateverychildconceivedinwedlockislegitimate；thelawhavingaconfidenceinthemother，asifshewerechastityitself。Buttheuseoftherackagainstcriminalscannotbedefendedonalikepleaofnecessity。

Wehavebeforeustheexampleofanationblessedwithanexcellentcivilgovernment，[55]wherewithoutanyinconveniencethepracticeofrackingcriminalsisrejected。Itisnot，therefore，initsownnaturenecessary。[56]

Somanymenoflearningandgeniushavewrittenagainstthecustomoftorturingcriminals，thatafterthemIdarenotpresumetomeddlewiththesubject。Iwasgoingtosaythatitmightsuitdespoticstates，wherewhateverinspiresfearisthefittestspringofgovernment。IwasgoingtosaythattheslavesamongtheGreeksandRomans——butnaturecriesoutaloud，andassertsherrights。

18。OfpecuniaryandcorporalPunishments。Ourancestors，theGermans，admittedofnonebutpecuniarypunishments。Thosefreeandwarlikepeoplewereofopinionthattheirbloodoughtnottobespilledbutwithswordinhand。Onthecontrary，thesepunishmentsarerejectedbytheJapanese，[57]underpretencethattherichmighteludethem。Butarenottherichafraidofbeingstrippedoftheirproperty？Andmightnotpecuniarypenaltiesbeproportionedtopeople’sfortunes？And，infine，mightnotinfamybeaddedtothosepunishments？

Agoodlegislatortakesajustmedium；heordainsneitheralwayspecuniary，noralwayscorporalpunishments。

19。OftheLawofRetaliation。Theuseofthelawofretaliation[58]isveryfrequentindespoticcountries，wheretheyarefondofsimplelaws。

Moderategovernmentsadmitofitsometimes；butwiththisdifference，thattheformerexerciseitinfullrigour，whereasamongthelatteriteverreceivessomekindoflimitation。

ThelawoftheTwelveTablesadmittedtwo：first，itnevercondemnedtoretaliation，butwhentheplaintiffcouldnotbesatisfiedinanyothermanner。[59]Secondly，aftercondemnationtheymightpaydamagesandinterest，[60]andthenthecorporalwaschangedintoapecuniarypunishment。[61]

20。OfthePunishmentofFathersfortheCrimesoftheirChildren。InChina，fathersarepunishedforthecrimesoftheirchildren。ThiswaslikewisethecustomofPeru[62]——acustomderivedfromthenotionofdespoticpower。LittledoesitsignifytosaythatinChinathefatherispunishedfornothavingexertedthatpaternalauthoritywhichnaturehasestablished，andthelawsthemselveshaveimproved。ThisstillsupposesthatthereisnohonouramongtheChinese。Amongstus，parentswhosechildrenarecondemnedbythelawsoftheircountry，andchildren[63]whoseparentshaveundergonethelikefate，areasseverelypunishedbyshame，astheywouldbeinChinabythelossoftheirlives。

21。OftheClemencyofthePrince。Clemencyisthecharacteristicofmonarchs。Inrepublics，whoseprincipleisvirtue，itisnotsonecessary。Indespoticgovernments，wherefearpredominates，itislesscustomary，becausethegreatmenaretoberestrainedbyexamplesofseverity。Itismorenecessaryinmonarchies，wheretheyaregovernedbyhonour，whichfrequentlyrequireswhattheverylawforbids。Disgraceishereequivalenttochastisement；andeventheformsofjusticearepunishments。Thisisbecauseparticularkindsofpenaltyareformedbyshame，whichoneverysideinvadesthedelinquent。

Thegreatmeninmonarchiesaresoheavilypunishedbydisgrace，bytheloss（thoughoftenimaginary）oftheirfortune，credit，acquaintances，andpleasures，thatrigourinrespecttothemisneedless。Itcantendonlytodivestthesubjectoftheaffectionhehasforthepersonofhisprince，andoftherespectheoughttohaveforpublicpostsandemployments。

Astheinstabilityofthegreatisnaturaltoadespoticgovernment，sotheirsecurityisinterwovenwiththenatureofmonarchy。

Somanyaretheadvantageswhichmonarchsgainbyclemency，sogreatlydoesitraisetheirfame，andendearthemtotheirsubjects，thatitisgenerallyhappyforthemtohaveanopportunityofdisplayingit；whichinthispartoftheworldisseldomwanting。

Somebranch，perhaps，oftheirauthority，butneverhardlythewhole，willbedisputed；andiftheysometimesfightfortheircrown，theydonotfightfortheirlife。