ABSTRACT
The death of a citizen cannot be considered necessary except for two reasons. First, even when deprived of liberty the citizen still has relationships and power that may concern the security of the nation; since his very existence could produce a dangerous revolution in a stable form of government. The death of this citizen therefore becomes a necessity when a nation is recovering or has lost its liberty, or in a time of anarchy, when disorder takes the place of law. The punishment of death makes an impression whose force is not enough to overcome man's natural tendency to forget even essential things, often especially accelerated by the passions. The punishment of death is a spectacle for most people and for others an object of compassion mixed with disdain: both these sentiments occupy the minds of the spectators instead of the salutary terror that the laws seek to inspire.
