Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Famous Edward Gibbon Quote “Whenever the offence inspires less horror than the punishment, the rigour of penal law is obliged to give way to the common feelings of mankind.” ~ Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) English historian and Member of Parliament Constitution , Drugs , Freedom , Government , Justice , Law , Morals , Society , Tolerance , Truth , Tyranny , Liberty Ratings and Comments 1 Reply warren, olathe 4/25/08 ? 2 Reply Me Again 4/25/08 AGREE!!!! 3 Reply J Carlton, Calgary 4/25/08 That doesn't actually make much sense. But coming from and MP that's about right. 2 Reply jim k, austin, k 4/25/08 Translated, it means that the problems associated of drug use is far less than the horrors of the War on Drugs . Drug use (mine is coffee) should be seen as a medical problem, not a legal problem.Then we could empty our jails of non violent people and make room for rapists, murderers and the like. Support LEAP, Law Enforcement against Prohibition, and we can stop this senseless and expensive non sense. LEAP.CC is the website. 3 Reply Mike, Norwalk 4/25/08 The punishment needs fit the crime; no victimless crimes. 4 Reply E Archer, NYC 4/25/08 Seems pretty straight-forward -- if the penalties inflict more damage than the offense itself, then the punishment is a crime. Mosaic law was 'an eye for an eye,' Christian law was 'turn the other cheek,' the Golden Rule "treat people the way you would like to be treated," but American drug abuse prevention is "lock 'em up and throw away the key." Ain't no way a nation can preserve its honor and freedom when it treats itself like that. Hypocrites! 3 Reply J Carlton, Calgary 4/25/08 Prison Nation : http://mises.org/story/2957 3 Reply Ron w13, Or 4/15/14 Senseless laws, Doing more harm than ever any good. Great points of view, Jim and Archer. 2 Reply jim k, austin tx 4/15/14 Check out LEAP.CC 1 Reply Mick, Manchester 6/5/17 Does the crime fit the punishment? Increasingly justice is a commodity affordable to those with deep enough pockets - the outrage and feelings of mankind are more than often ignored. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Edward Gibbon quote is found in these categories: Constitution quotes Drugs quotes Freedom quotes Government quotes Justice quotes Law quotes Morals quotes Society quotes Tolerance quotes Truth quotes Tyranny quotes Liberty quotes About Edward Gibbon Bio of Edward Gibbon Quotations by Edward Gibbon Books by/about Edward Gibbon Edward Gibbon videos Edward Gibbon on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Edward Gibbon