Cruelty Quotes
Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.
"Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent."— Adam Smith
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Meaning of this quote
The passage argues that compassion for an offender must also consider potential harm to others.
Key takeaway:
Balance compassion with proportionate accountability and protection from harm.
Origin of the quote
The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759; edition varies)
Who actually said this?
VerifiedWording located in the primary text; capitalization and punctuation may vary.
