"Executions, far from being useful examples to the survivors, have, I am persuaded, a quite contrary effect, by hardening the heart they ought to terrify. Besides, the fear of an ignominious death, I believe, never deterred anyone from the commission of a crime, because in committing it the mind is roused to activity about present circumstances."

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Added on April 10, 2026
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Original Language: English

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Letter 19

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mary_Wollstonecraft