The law of God is not to return evil for evil; indeed, if…
““The law of God is not to return evil for evil; indeed, if you try in this way to stamp out wickedness it will come upon you all the stronger. It is not difficult for you to kill the man, but his blood will surely stain your own soul. You may think you have killed a bad man--that you have gotten rid of evil--but you will soon find out that the seeds of still greater wickedness have been planted within you.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Violence begets more violence; killing evil can corrupt the soul and spawn greater wickedness.
In simple terms: Violence breeds more evil.
Seek non‑violent solutions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- justice reform
- conflict mediation
- personal revenge
- social activism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can justice be served without bloodshed?
- What are the costs of revenge?
Non‑violent paths may be slower and harder.