"To punish a man because we infer from the nature of some doctrine which he holds, or from the conduct of other persons who hold the same doctrines with him, that he will commit a crime, is persecution, and is, in every case, foolish and wicked"

This quote by Thomas Babington is an effective declaration against the oppression of individuals based on their beliefs or the ideas of those around them. He is saying that it is incorrect to punish someone for something they might carry out in the future, simply as a result of their beliefs or the ideas of those around them. He is additionally stating that it is absurd and wicked to do so. This quote speaks to the significance of valuing the beliefs of others, also if they vary from our own. It additionally talks with the significance of not punishing a person for something they may carry out in the future, as this is an act of oppression. This quote is a pointer that we should not evaluate somebody based on their beliefs or the ideas of those around them, yet instead on their activities.