Even if a civil society resolved to dissolve itself with the consent of all its members -as might be supposed in the case of a people inhabiting an island resolving to separate and scatter throughout the whole world -the last murderer lying in prison ought to be executed before the resolution was carried out. This ought to be done in order that everyone may realize the desert of his deeds, and that blood-guiltiness may not remain on the people; for otherwise they will all be regarded as participants in the murder.