581. The Lord permits torments in the hells because in no other way can evils be restrained and subdued. The only means of restraining and subduing evils and of keeping the infernal crew in bonds is the fear of punishment. There is no other way. For without the fear of punishment and torment, evil would burst forth into rages, and everything would go to pieces, like a kingdom on earth where there is no law and there are no penalties.