Literary notes about Condign (AI summary)
"Condign" is typically used to describe a punishment that is both just and appropriately severe. Writers often pair it with terms like "punishment," "chastisement," or "affliction" to emphasize that the penalty fits the crime, whether in the hands of divine retribution or human law. For instance, in historical narratives and classical texts the phrase “condign punishment” conveys both inevitability and moral rectitude [1], while in works of antiquity and political treatises the word stresses that retribution is proportioned exactly to the offense [2]. In literary works, this term imparts an elevated tone to the sentencing, suggesting that the punishment is not arbitrary, but is exact and deserved [3][4][5].
- The sound awakes the inmates; they catch up their arms and visit the thieves, 136 whom they have taken red-handed, with condign punishment.
— from The Life and Letters of Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, Volumes 1 and 2 by Ogier Ghislain de Busbecq - We will now endeavour to show that you have injured the Hellenes more than we, and are more deserving of condign punishment.
— from The History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides - The dwarf taking no heed of this adjuration, Mr Swiveller advanced with the view of inflicting upon him condign chastisement.
— from The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens - It was a consummate crime, and it was followed by swift and condign judgment.
— from The Expositor's Bible: The First Book of Kings by F. W. (Frederic William) Farrar - O'er him who vaunteth an exceeding fame, Impends a woe condign; The vengeful bolt upon his eyes doth flame, Sped from the hand divine.
— from The House of Atreus; Being the Agamemnon, the Libation bearers, and the Furies by Aeschylus
