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。