मनुस्मृति - दण्ड

दण्डः शास्ति प्रजाः सर्वाः दण्ड एवाभिरक्षति ।
दण्डः सुप्तेषु जागर्ति दण्डं धर्मं विदुर्बुधाः ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Punishment is what helps the king rule his subjects justly. It protects all the subjects (from miscreants). It protects even those who are sleeping (from thieves). Hence the wise men think that punishment is an integral part of Dharma (moral code of life)

- Manu Smriti