"To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is cruelty"

Maximilien Robespierre's quote suggests that punishing those who oppress mankind is an act of grace, while forgiving them is an act of ruthlessness. This suggests that those who oppress mankind must be held responsible for their actions and not be enabled to get away with their wrongdoings. Robespierre's quote is a suggestion that justice ought to be served which those who dedicate wrongs must be penalized. It also suggests that those who are oppressed should not be anticipated to forgive their oppressors, as this would be an act of cruelty. Robespierre's quote is an effective suggestion that justice must be served and that those who oppress humanity must be held responsible for their actions. It is a pointer that oppression need to not be tolerated which those who dedicate wrongs must be punished. It is also a pointer that those who are oppressed should not be expected to forgive their oppressors, as this would be an act of ruthlessness.