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If you acquit a dishonest man, you will do harm to honest people

Cf: Не does injury to the good who spares the bad (Br.). Не injures the good who spares the bad (Am.). If you help the evil, you hurt the good (Am.). If you pity rogues, you are no great friend of honest men (Am., Br.). Mercy to the criminal may be cruelty to the people (Am., Br.). Pardoning the bad is injuring the good (Am., Br.)