Report No. 28
12. Sanction behind oath-fear of God-Bentham's view.-Apart from punishment for perjury, the main sanction behind an oath, is the fear of God. Bentham has stated1-
"Fear of eventual punishment in most cases-fear of eventual shame in all cases-fear of punishment at the hand of the Almighty-these are the springs of action that have been brought to view in the character of improbity-restraining forces in general, and mendacity-restraining forces in particular."
1. Works of Jeremy Bentham, 1808, Vol. III, Pt. V, p. 196.
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