Vengeance taken will often tear the heart and torment the conscience.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Delay in vengeance gives a heavier blow.
—John M. Ford (1957–2006) American Novelist, Writer, Poet
The time is always right to do what’s right.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
When Anger and Revenge get married, their daughter is called Cruelty.
—Russian Proverb
Revenge is the act of passion, vengeance is an act of justice.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Something of vengeance I had tasted for the first time; as aromatic wine it seemed, on swallowing, warm and racy; its after-flavor, metallic and corroding, gave me a sensation as if I had been poisoned.
—Charlotte Bronte (1816–1855) English Novelist, Poet
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Revenge does not long remain unrevenged.
—German Proverb
The reason why great men meet with so little pity or attachment in adversity, would seem to be this: the friends of a great man were made by his fortune, his enemies by himself, and revenge is a much more punctual paymaster than gratitude.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The tree of revenge does not carry fruit
—Dutch Proverb
Just vengeance does not call for punishment.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
What should a wise person do when given a blow? Same as Cato when he was attacked; not fire up or revenge the insult., or even return the blow, but simply ignore it.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
We ought to fear a man who hates himself, for we are at risk of becoming victims of his anger and revenge. Let us then try to lure him into self-love.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
—Paul Gauguin (1848–1903) French Post-Impressionist Painter
When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her.
—Sacha Guitry (1885–1957) Russian-born French Actor, Dramatist
Don’t get mad, get even.
—Robert F. Kennedy (1925–68) American Politician, Civil Rights Activist
Little, vicious minds abound with anger and revenge, and are incapable of feeling the pleasure of forgiving their enemies.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Vengeance has no foresight.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
If you are affronted it is better to pass it by in silence, or with a jest, though with some dishonor, than to endeavor revenge.—If you can keep reason above passion, that and watchfulness will be your best defenders.
—Isaac Newton (1643–1727) English Physicist, Mathematician, Astronomer, Theologian
No revenge is more honorable than the one not taken.
—Spanish Proverb
Thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
No fathers or mothers think their own children ugly; and this self-deceit is yet stronger with respect to the offspring of the mind.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Revenge may not be a particularly high consciousness-oriented activity.
—Carrie Fisher (1956–2016) American Actress, Author
What ever the motive for the insult, it is always best to overlook it; for folly doesn’t deserve resentment, and malice is punished by neglect.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Ambition and revenge are always hungry.
—Danish Proverb
Revenge is a common passion; it is the sin of the uninstructed.—The savage deems it noble; but the religion of Christ, which is the sublime civilizer, emphatically condemns it. Why? Because religion ever seeks to ennoble man; and nothing so debases him as revenge.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Live well. It is the greatest revenge.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Revenge is often like biting a dog because the dog bit you.
—Austin O’Malley (1858–1932) American Aphorist, Ophthalmologist