“I have never understood the liberal assumption that if there were justice in the world, there would be fewer rather than more prisoners.”

— Theodore Dalrymple

Policeman in Wonderland http://www.city-journal.org/html/10_2_oh_to_be.html (Spring 2000).
City Journal (1998 - 2008)

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Theodore Dalrymple 96

English doctor and writer 1949

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The primary requirement, however, is freedom: universal freedom. If there are other people out there, raised in imprisonment as I was, I have a duty to liberate them, for the same reason why I would have welcomed any outside liberator who would have attempted to free me. We were in the most pleasant prison imaginable. It was still unacceptable. The present condition of the universe is unacceptable. Anything I can do, large or small, along these lines, I will do. Other problems are secondary, and may resolve themselves once this primary problem is solved.”

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Context: You couldn't have given me less encouragement, or treated me with greater severity than you did! And if you think you have wronged me by giving me your friendship, and occasionally admitting to me to the enjoyment of your company and conversation, when all hopes of close intimacy were vain — as indeed you always gave me to understand — if you think you have wronged me by this, you are mistaken; for such favours, in themselves alone, are not only delightful to my heart, but purifying, exalting, ennobling to my soul; and I would rather have your friendship than the love of any other woman in the world!

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“I have never understood the liberal assumption that if there were justice in the world, there would be fewer rather than more prisoners.”

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Theodore Dalrymple 96

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