Procrustes
mythological figure · 2 works · 2 mentions · 2 anchored passages
a Procrustes
in the texts
Construction Construed and Constitutions Vindicated
Figure of Greek legend who forced travelers to fit his bed by stretching or amputation, invoked as a simile for governments that forcibly reshape occupations to favor particular interests.
” They all have the same rights, whatever may be the outlines of their physical or moral qualities, and to stretch or contract their moral qualities by force, in order to pamper the passions of a particular sect, or their physical qualities to gratify those of a Procrustes, is one and the same act.
On Mercy
Legendary bandit who tortured travelers on an iron bed, cited alongside Busiris as an example of cruelty without cause.
"But certain men do not exact punishments, and yet are cruel—such as those who kill unknown men they chance upon, not for gain, but for the sake of killing, and, not content to kill, vent their savagery, like the famous Busiris and Procrustes and the pirates, who flog their captives and put them living into the fire.