In a well-governed state there are few punishments, not because many pardons are granted, but because there are few criminals; the multitude of crimes ensures impunity when the state is decaying.[Dans un état bien gouverné, il y a peu de punitions, non parce qu’on fait beaucoup de graces, mais parce qu’il y a peu de criminels: la multitude des crimes en assure l’impunité lorsque l’état dépérit.]
Source:(Wordsworth Editions Ltd., ed. 1998), Book II, Chapter 5. The Right of Life and Death, Page 36
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