Men are rewarded or punished not for what they do but for how their acts are defined. That is why read more

Men are rewarded or punished not for what they do but for how their acts are defined. That is why men are more interested in better justifying themselves than in better behaving themselves.

Not the punishment but the cause makes the martyr.

Not the punishment but the cause makes the martyr.

When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers.

When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers.

Two of the cruelest, most primitive punishments our town deals out to those who fall from favor are the empty read more

Two of the cruelest, most primitive punishments our town deals out to those who fall from favor are the empty mailbox and the silent telephone.

Vengeance comes not slowly either upon you or any other wicked
man, but steals silently and imperceptibly, placing its read more

Vengeance comes not slowly either upon you or any other wicked
man, but steals silently and imperceptibly, placing its foot on
the bad.

Every sin brings its punishment with it.

Every sin brings its punishment with it.

Whipping and abuse are like laudanum: you have to double the dose as the sensibilities decline.

Whipping and abuse are like laudanum: you have to double the dose as the sensibilities decline.

See they suffer death,
But in their deaths remember they are men,
Strain not the laws to read more

See they suffer death,
But in their deaths remember they are men,
Strain not the laws to make their tortures grievous.

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee
to enter into life maimed, read more

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee
to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell,
into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.