He who helps the guilty, shares the crime.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Better it were, that all the miseries which nature owns were ours at once, than guilt.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
My hands are guilty, but my heart is free.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Whoever profits by the crime is guilty of it
—Unknown
Though it sleep long, the venom of great guilt, when death, or danger, or detection comes, will bite the spirit fiercely.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Guilt is present in the very hesitation, even though the deed be not committed.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Care should be taken that the punishment does not exceed the guilt; and also that some men do not suffer for offenses for which others are not even indicted.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
For every man who lives without freedom, the rest of us must face the guilt.
—Lillian Hellman (1905–84) American Dramatist, Memoirist
The greatest incitement to guilt is the hope of sinning with impunity.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
He is not guilty who is not guilty of his own free will.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Every man bears something within him that, if it were publicly announced, would excite feelings of aversion.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Successful guilt is the bane of society
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind: the thief doth fear each bush an officer.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Nothing is more wretched that the mind of a man conscious of guilt.
—Plautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (c.250–184 BCE) Roman Comic Playwright
It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
It is the inevitable end of guilt that it places its own punishment on a chance which is sure to occur.
—Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–38) English Poet, Novelist
There is wickedness in the intention of wickedness, even though it be not perpetrated in the act.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
He through whose agency another has been falsely punished stands outside of heaven’s gates.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Forbear to lay the guilt of a few on the many.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
How guilt once harbour’d in the conscious breast , Intimidates the brave, degrades the great.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Thoughts cannot form themselves in words so horrid As can express my guilt.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
They whose guilt within their bosom lies, imagine every eye beholds their blame.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
If any blame be attached to thee, be the first to declare it.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Whoever blushes confesses guilt, true innocence never feels shame.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Merciful death! How you love your precious guilt.
—Anne Rice (1941–2021) American Author
Guilt is a timorous thing ere perpetration; despair alone makes guilty men be bold.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
Guilt has always its horrors and solicitudes; and, to make it yet more shameful and detestable, it is doomed often to stand in awe of those to whom nothing could give influence or weight but their power of betraying.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Guilt, though it may attain temporal splendor, can never confer real happiness; the evil consequences of our crimes long survive their commission, and, like the ghosts of the murdered, forever haunt the steps of the malefactor; while the paths of virtue, though seldom those of worldly greatness, are always those of pleasantness and peace.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Guilt is abscent when the act is justified
—Unknown