peak of things that are possible of performance in this world.
There are many theories and high ideas on this subject, but they are not
practicable; consequently, we must speak of things that are feasible.

For example, if someone oppresses, injures and wrongs another, and the
wronged man retaliates, this is vengeance and is censurable. If the son of
'Amr kills the son of Zayd, Zayd has not the right to kill the son of
'Amr; if he does so, this is vengeance. If 'Amr dishonors Zayd, the latter
has not the right to dishonor 'Amr; if he does so, this is vengeance, and
it is very reprehensible. No, rather he must return good for evil, and not
only forgive, but also, if possible, be of service to his oppressor. This
conduct is worthy of man: for what advantage does he gain by vengeance?
The two actions are equivalent; if one action is reprehensible, both are
reprehensible. The only difference is that one was committed first, the
other later.

But the community has the right of defense and of self-protection;
moreover, the community has no hatred nor animosity for the murderer: it
imprisons or punishes him merely for the protection and security of
others. It is not for the purpose of taking vengeance upon the murderer,
but for the purpose of inflicting a punishment by which the community will
be protected. If the community and the inheritors of the murdered one were
to forgive and return good for evil, the cruel would be continually
ill-treating others, and assassinations would continually occur. Vicious
people, like wolves, would destroy the sheep of God. The community has no
ill-will and rancor in the infliction of punishment, and it does not
desire to appease the anger of the heart; its purpose is by punishment to
protect others so that no atrocious actions may be committed.

Thus when Christ said: "Whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek,
turn to him the left one also,"(161) it was for the purpose of teaching
men not to take personal revenge. He did not mean that, if a wolf should
fall upon a flock of sheep and wish to destroy it, the wolf should be
encouraged to do so. No, if Christ had known that a wolf had entered the
fold and was about to destroy the sheep, most certainly He would have
prevented it.

As forgiveness is one of the attributes of the Merciful One, so also
justice is one of the attributes of the Lord. The tent of existence is
upheld upon the pillar of justice and not upon forgiveness. The
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