"All punishment is mischief; all punishment in itself is evil"

This quote by Jeremy Bentham suggests that any kind of penalty is naturally wrong and harmful. He indicates that punishment is a type of mischief, and that it is an evil act in itself. This is because punishment is often utilized to inflict pain or suffering on somebody, and Bentham believes that this is incorrect. He believes that penalty must not be used as a means of retribution or vengeance, however rather as a method to reform and rehabilitate individuals. He also recommends that punishment needs to be used as a deterrent, to avoid people from dedicating criminal offenses in the future. Eventually, Bentham's quote indicates that punishment ought to be utilized sparingly and only when definitely necessary, as it can trigger more damage than excellent.