How vainly shall we endeavor to repress crime by our barbarous punishment of the poorer class of criminals so long as children are reared in the brutalizing influences of poverty, so long as the bite of want drives men to crime.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the futility of relying solely on harsh punishment to curb crime, particularly when the root causes of criminal behavior lie in poverty and its adverse influences. It suggests that as long as societal issues like poverty continue to exist, they will drive individuals into criminal activities as a means of survival. Therefore, instead of focusing primarily on punishment, it is crucial to address the systemic problems of poverty and provide opportunities and support systems for disadvantaged individuals to reduce the occurrence of crime.

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