em.

Now vengeance, according to reason, is also blameworthy, because through
vengeance no good result is gained by the avenger. So if a man strikes
another, and he who is struck takes revenge by returning the blow, what
advantage will he gain? Will this be a balm for his wound or a remedy for
his pain? No, God forbid! In truth the two actions are the same: both are
injuries; the only difference is that one occurred first, and the other
afterward. Therefore, if he who is struck forgives, nay, if he acts in a
manner contrary to that which has been used toward him, this is laudable.
The law of the community will punish the aggressor but will not take
revenge. This punishment has for its end to warn, to protect and to oppose
cruelty and transgression so that other men may not be tyrannical.

But if he who has been struck pardons and forgives, he shows the greatest
mercy. This is worthy of admiration.

77: THE RIGHT METHOD OF TREATING CRIMINALS

Question.--Should a criminal be punished, or forgiven and his crime
overlooked?

Answer.--There are two sorts of retributory punishments. One is vengeance,
the other, chastisement. Man has not the right to take vengeance, but the
community has the right to punish the criminal; and this punishment is
intended to warn and to prevent so that no other person will dare to
commit a like crime. This punishment is for the protection of man's
rights, but it is not vengeance; vengeance appeases the anger of the heart
by opposing one evil to another. This is not allowable, for man has not
the right to take vengeance. But if criminals were entirely forgiven, the
order of the world would be upset. So punishment is one of the essential
necessities for the safety of communities, but he who is oppressed by a
transgressor has not the right to take vengeance. On the contrary, he
should forgive and pardon, for this is worthy of the world of man.

The communities must punish the oppressor, the murderer, the malefactor,
so as to warn and restrain others from committing like crimes. But the
most essential thing is that the people must be educated in such a way
that no crimes will be committed; for it is possible to educate the masses
so effectively that they will avoid and shrink from perpetrating crimes,
so that the crime itself will appear to them as the greatest chastisement,
the utmost condemnation and torment. Therefore, no crimes which require
punishment will be committed.

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