The law cannot forgive, for the law has not been wronged, only broken; only persons can be wronged. The law can pardon, but it can only pardon what it has the power to punish. (W. H. Auden)

The law cannot forgive, for the law has not been wronged, only broken; only persons can be wronged. The law can pardon, but it can only pardon what it has the power to punish.

W. H. Auden

Related topics

law pardon power

Related quotes

The women of the country have the power in their own hands, in spite of the law and the government being altogether of the male order. View quote
Victoria Woodhull
Law without education is a dead letter. With education the needed law follows without effort and, of course, with power to execute itself; indeed, it seems to execute itself. View quote
Rutherford B. Hayes
With much care and skill power has been broken into fragments in the American township, so that the maximum possible number of people have some concern with public affairs. View quote
Alexis de Tocqueville
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. View quote
Robert A. Heinlein
The function of the law is not to provide justice or to preserve freedom. The function of the law is to keep those who hold power, in power. View quote
Gerry Spence