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
If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
On wrongs swift vengeance waits.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
The noblest vengeance is to forgive.
—Common Proverb
Vengeance, deep-brooding other the slain, Had locked the source of softer woe, And burning pride and high disdain Forbade the rising tear to flow.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Just vengeance does not call for punishment.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
Retribution often means that we eventually do to ourselves what we have done unto others.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Deep vengeance is the daughter of deep silence.
—Vittorio Alfieri (1749–1803) Italian Poet, Dramatist
Vengeance is a dish best eaten cold.
—English Proverb
Revenge is the act of passion, vengeance is an act of justice.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
I shall see The winged vengeance overtake such children.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
No husband will ever be better avenged than by his wife’s lover.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
Good Christians should never avenge injuries.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
In high vengeance there is noble scorn.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
No one delights more in vengeance than a woman.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
Where vice is vengeance follows.
—Scottish Proverb
Delay in vengeance gives a heavier blow.
—John M. Ford (1957–2006) American Novelist, Writer, Poet
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
Nothing is more costly, nothing is more sterile, than vengeance.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
The rarer action is In virtue than in vengeance.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
If you have committed iniquity, you must expect to suffer; for vengeance with its sacred light shines upon you.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Vengeance taken will often tear the heart and torment the conscience.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Vengeance has no foresight.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
It is better to receive than to do injury.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Getting even with somebody is no way to get ahead of anybody.
—Cullen Hightower (b.1923) American Humorist
Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them they take vengeance, but if you injure them greatly they are unable to retaliate, so that the injury done to a man ought to be such that vengeance cannot be feared.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
Revenge is the abject pleasure of an abject mind.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell.
—William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–91) American Military Leader, Businessperson, Educator
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