He who seeks revenge should remember to dig two graves.
—Chinese Proverb
The tree of revenge does not carry fruit
—Dutch Proverb
Delay in vengeance gives a heavier blow.
—John M. Ford (1957–2006) American Novelist, Writer, Poet
Just vengeance does not call for punishment.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
Revenge is often like biting a dog because the dog bit you.
—Austin O’Malley (1858–1932) American Aphorist, Ophthalmologist
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
Widows comfort themselves when they remarry, widowers take revenge.
—French Proverb
Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
Thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Women do most delight in revenge.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
Revenge… is like a rolling stone, which, when a man hath forced up a hill, will return upon him with a greater violence, and break those bones whose sinews gave it motion.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
Live well. It is the greatest revenge.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
‘Tis more noble to forgive, and more manly to despise, than to revenge an Injury.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
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
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
—Paul Gauguin (1848–1903) French Post-Impressionist Painter
Revenge is the abject pleasure of an abject mind.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
Revenge is sweeter than life itself. So think fools.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
In revenge a man is but even with his enemies; but it is a princely thing to pardon, for Solomon saith, “It is the glory of a man to pass over a transgression.”
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
There’s small Revenge in Words, but Words may be greatly revenged.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
The human heart in its perversity finds it hard to escape hatred and revenge.
—Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (1707–46) Italian Jewish Rabbi, Philosopher
Forgiveness is better than revenge, for forgiveness is the sign of a gentle nature, but revenge is the sign of a savage nature.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Revenge is a dish that should be eaten cold.
—English Proverb
Revenge could steal a man’s life until there was nothing left but emptiness.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
On wrongs swift vengeance waits.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Revenge converts a little right into a great wrong.
—German Proverb
Men are more prone to revenge injuries than to requite kindness.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Misery and remorse are the children of revenge.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Living well is the best revenge.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
The best revenge is massive success.
—Frank Sinatra (1915–1998) American Singer
Souls made of fire and children of the sun,With whom Revenge is virtue.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
Vengeance is a dish best eaten cold.
—English Proverb
Hath any wronged thee? Be bravely revenged.—Slight it, and the work is begun; forgive it, and it is finished.—He is below himself that is not above any injury.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
It is better to die in revenge than to live on in shame.
—Arabic Proverb
Revenge is a confession of pain.
—Latin Proverb
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
Ambition and revenge are always hungry.
—Danish Proverb
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
Vengeance taken will often tear the heart and torment the conscience.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
One who is injured ought not to return the injury, for on no account can it be right to do an injustice; and it is not right to return an injury, or to do evil to any man, however much we have suffered from him.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Revenge is an inhuman word.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
An eye for eye makes the whole world blind.
—Unknown
Is it to be thought unreasonable that the people, in atonement for wrongs of a century, demand the vengeance of a single day?
—Maximilien Robespierre (1758–94) French Revolutionary
He who gratifies revenge destroys his own house.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more a man’s nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
To take revenge halfheartedly is to court disaster: Either condemn or crown your hatred.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
Revenge does not long remain unrevenged.
—German Proverb