Augustine replies to Nectarius's fears that the Church intends torture or ruin for citizens involved in violence against it. He corrects Nectarius's misquotation about poverty and death, insisting that poverty is not a crime, that the soul receives recompense after death, and that luxury corrupts more deeply than loss of wealth. Augustine defends removing the resources used for violence as prudent, merciful prevention rather than vengeance: temporary pain may restrain greater sins, as a parent disciplines a child or a surgeon cuts away gangrene. Correction, not revenge, must seek the offender's repentance and eternal salvation, while forgiveness cannot excuse unrepentant wrongdoing. Against the claim that all religions or philosophies reach heaven, Augustine identifies Christ as the true way and rejects the Stoic equality of all sins, distinguishing rudeness from arson, sacrilege, or parricide. Mercy must therefore be joined to truth and proportionate judgment. He rejects torture for discovering ringleaders, distinguishes degrees of guilt, and calls Nectarius from Stoic argument to Christian mercy aimed at spiritual correction.