be cautious in imposing punishments to show benevolence
释义
be cautious in imposing punishments to show benevolence Encyclopedia
法学〔术语类〕释 be cautious in imposing punishments to show benevolence恤刑 用刑慎重不滥。最初见于《尚书·舜典》：“惟刑之恤哉！”意即量刑时要有悯恤之意，使刑罚轻重适中。后世一般指对于老幼废疾者的减刑和对狱囚的悯恤。从广义理解，恤刑还可包括刑典的从轻、刑的延缓执行、赦宥等内容。