NosVette

Does no one here belive in punishment? Am I the only one who belives that retribution is a duty, and that forgiveness is a well guarded gift? If you saw someone being mugged would you all just walk by and think "It's not my problem. Maybe I'll comfort him after he gets robbed, but it's not my place to interfere"? I refuse to belive that. It is easy to sound like you know what to do, and to say what you would want to do under ideal situations, but I think that if you were in my shoes you would do everythign in your power to make sure that he knows exactly what happens when he crosses the line. Machiavelli said that a prince must both be feared and loved by his subjects. Do earn their love you protect them from everything you can, by punishing those who would harm them. Aristotle said that laws without punishments do nothing to maintain the peace. Crime is defines as a punishable act. If it goes unpunished, it is not a crime. Ezekiel 25:17. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you." These were not petty men, who revelled only in exess and visceral pleasures. These were great men, the most brilliant minds of their time. And you expect me to falter like a scared lamb to avoid a confrontation in the name of justice? No. I will be loved and feared, I will make rules and punish crimes. I will be Blessed as I shelter and guide the weak through the valleys of darkness. Be my brother's protecter, and I will act out justice on those who deserve it. For those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers, I will strike them down with great vengance and furious anger. I will show no mercy for those who deserve none. One last quote. "Forgiveness is begin him and god. It is my duty to arrange that meeting."

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"The government of man by man is oppression. Who who lays a hand on me to opress me is a tyrant and a usurper, and I declare him to be my enemy"