--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I often had thoughts of vengeance, but I…" description: "\"“I often had thoughts of vengeance, but I never felt they consumed me. In the days after our conversation, I thought about what Lee had said about Lydi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/cailee-francis-74684_better-person_i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i_1774407.jpg" --- # I often had thoughts of vengeance, but I never felt they… ![“I often had thoughts of vengeance, but I never felt they consumed me. In the days after our conversation, I thought about what Lee had said about Lydia’s killer having a new beginning in a different life. I didn’t want it to get in the way of justice, but didn’t everyone deserve a chance to begin…” quote by Cailee Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/cailee-francis-74684_better-person_i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i_1774407.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/cailee-francis-74684_better-person_i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i_1774407.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/cailee-francis-74684_better-person_i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i_1774407.jpg) > ““I often had thoughts of vengeance, but I never felt they consumed me. In the days after our conversation, I thought about what Lee had said about Lydia’s killer having a new beginning in a different life. I didn’t want it to get in the way of justice, but didn’t everyone deserve a chance to begin again and become a better person? I think Lee knew he could reach my spirit of fairness, and as a human being –or near enough to one, it seemed unfathomable that someone should be made to pay for their past-life transgressions in a future life. I suppose that’s what karma was, in a way, just very different from an avenging fae. It didn’t mean I wouldn’t punish him, of course, if I had the chance.”” Cailee Francis ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker grapples with vengeance versus redemption, questioning whether people deserve a second chance despite past wrongs. **In simple terms:** Balancing justice with compassion for those who seek change. Key Takeaway Consider fairness alongside forgiveness. Themes justice redemption karma compassion Mood conflicted thoughtful Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - courtroom decisions - personal grudges - rehabilitation programs - family disputes Key Concepts ethics spirituality psychology Questions to Reflect On - Is it possible to punish without denying redemption? - How do we measure true change? A Different Perspective Karma may be interpreted subjectively, complicating objective justice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-person/) [Fae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fae/) [Future life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-life/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karma/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [New beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-beginning/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) ## Related quotes > [“On his wedding night, Russ thought of Lee Whitley in the way you think of someone dead. Fondly, too fondly, until absence takes this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danya-kukafka/on-his-wedding-night-russ-thought-of-lee-whitley-in-the-way-you-think/) Danya Kukafka > [“Despite his best efforts, a few scalding tears escaped Cobalt's eyes. He swiped them away. 'Can you stand?' 'I damn well can, if my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-w-vaughn/despite-his-best-efforts-a-few-scalding-tears-escaped-cobalt-s-eyes/) S.W. Vaughn > [“Unseelie dreams make unseelie fae.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luna-lindsey/unseelie-dreams-make-unseelie-fae/) Luna Lindsey > [“You do know that I am a Fae, correct?" "Well, if the purple blood oozing from your friends there wasn't a clue, I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandy-nacole/you-do-know-that-i-am-a-fae-correct-well-if-the-purple-blood-oozing/) [Brandy Nacole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandy-nacole/) > [“I won’t be your pawn,” I growled. Puck’s lips formed a thin, knowing grin. “In the end, you’ll still serve the Fae.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-wyman/i-won-t-be-your-pawn-i-growled-puck-s-lips-formed-a-thin-knowing-grin/) [Jamie Wyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-wyman/) > [“I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches." by Alice Roosevelt Longworth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudy-conn/i-have-a-simple-philosophy-fill-what-s-empty-empty-what-s-full/) [Claudy Conn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudy-conn/) > [“Do we choose love, or does it seek us out?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-morgan/do-we-choose-love-or-does-it-seek-us-out/) [Mary Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-morgan/) > [“WEST SALEM ~ October 2011 A sudden vision, fraught with malevolence and darkness, obscured her sight. The face of a menacing figure turned from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cherie-de-sues/west-salem-october-2011-a-sudden-vision-fraught-with-malevolence-and/) Cherie De Sues > [“I hope to be bowing in front of you for a long time.” He takes my hand, drops to one knee, and kisses my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricia-copeland/i-hope-to-be-bowing-in-front-of-you-for-a-long-time-he-takes-my-hand/) [Tricia Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricia-copeland/) > [“The woman had a body wet dreams were made of, and he couldn't remember being this goddamn hard in his life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eden-ashe/the-woman-had-a-body-wet-dreams-were-made-of-and-he-couldn-t-remember/) [Eden Ashe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eden-ashe/) > [“I have heard people say that men and the Fae are as different as dogs and wolves. While this is an easy analogy, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/i-have-heard-people-say-that-men-and-the-fae-are-as-different-as-dogs/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [There are only shades of gray. Black and white are nothing more than lofty ideals in our minds, the standards by which we try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/there-are-only-shades-of-gray-black-and-white-are-nothing-more-than/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [“Their hands clasped between them, he whispered into her ear, "I claim you, too, Aelin Galathynius.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/their-hands-clasped-between-them-he-whispered-into-her-ear-i-claim/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What do you want?" "You." His voice was soft, low. His eyes were intense and watchful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-grant/what-do-you-want-you-his-voice-was-soft-low-his-eyes-were-intense-and/) [Donna Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-grant/) > [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More by Cailee Francis > [“I waited as Sorcha rose, and when she was ready we walked off toward the trees. No one else seemed to follow us, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cailee-francis/i-waited-as-sorcha-rose-and-when-she-was-ready-we-walked-off-toward/) Cailee Francis > [“I sat down on the end of the bed and breathed a relaxed sigh, soaking up the room’s ambience. There was a slight, sweet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cailee-francis/i-sat-down-on-the-end-of-the-bed-and-breathed-a-relaxed-sigh-soaking/) Cailee Francis Explore all 3 Cailee Francis quotes ## More Better person quotes > [“Claiming to be offended is a great way to elevate yourself at the expense of others: “Look at me! I'm a much better person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/claiming-to-be-offended-is-a-great-way-to-elevate-yourself-at-the/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-bear/go-afield-with-a-good-attitude-with-respect-for-the-wildlife-you-hunt/) [Fred Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-bear/) > [My favorite thing about being a mom is just what a better person it makes you on a daily basis,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/my-favorite-thing-about-being-a-mom-is-just-what-a-better-person-it/) [Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/) > [A real good artist learns to be a better person through all the changes they've been through. They keep their loving and honesty growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bradley/a-real-good-artist-learns-to-be-a-better-person-through-all-the/) [Charles Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bradley/) > [I wasn't paid a dime for my track career. But participating in the Olympics gave me the opportunity to learn about different cultures; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyomia-tyus/i-wasn-t-paid-a-dime-for-my-track-career-but-participating-in-the/) Wyomia Tyus > [I'm a better person when I'm preparing for a role, when I'm studying a role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/i-m-a-better-person-when-i-m-preparing-for-a-role-when-i-m-studying-a/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [I found myself thinking a lot about my own spirituality. What it means to be Jewish, what it means to forgive, what it means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tod-goldberg/i-found-myself-thinking-a-lot-about-my-own-spirituality-what-it-means/) [Tod Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tod-goldberg/) > [I found the emotion that as an athlete you block out, and it really helped me to understand myself as a person. I'm a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-lewis/i-found-the-emotion-that-as-an-athlete-you-block-out-and-it-really/) [Carl Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-lewis/) > [I always try to see my weakness, work on it, to be better as a person and a player, everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-salah/i-always-try-to-see-my-weakness-work-on-it-to-be-better-as-a-person/) [Mohamed Salah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-salah/) > [Life is like a circle it has no end point and every turn is a challenge did you notice it a circle has every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/life-is-like-a-circle-it-has-no-end-point-and-every-turn-is-a/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [I started running ultras to become a better person,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenn-shelton/i-started-running-ultras-to-become-a-better-person/) Jenn Shelton > [If you live with a single parent, you don't see compromise. You witness a grown person living in a world where they do what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rock/if-you-live-with-a-single-parent-you-don-t-see-compromise-you-witness/) [Chris Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rock/) > [I take no pleasure in seeing DeLay swing gently in the wind. But the thing I believe in the most is ethics. If someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/i-take-no-pleasure-in-seeing-delay-swing-gently-in-the-wind-but-the/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [Sometimes you have to steer away from the crowd in order to be a better person. It's not always easy, that's for sure. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-elkeles/sometimes-you-have-to-steer-away-from-the-crowd-in-order-to-be-a/) [Simone Elkeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-elkeles/) > [Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/nobody-ever-feels-100-ready-when-an-opportunity-arises-because-most/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) [Browse all 980 Better person quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-person/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I often had thoughts of vengeance, but I never felt they consumed me. In the days after our conversation, I thought about what Lee had said about Lydia’s killer having a new beginning in a different life. I didn’t want it to get in the way of justice, but didn’t everyone deserve a chance to begin again and become a better person? I think Lee knew he could reach my spirit of fairness, and as a human being –or near enough to one, it seemed unfathomable that someone should be made to pay for their past-life transgressions in a future life. I suppose that’s what karma was, in a way, just very different from an avenging fae. It didn’t mean I wouldn’t punish him, of course, if I had the chance.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cailee Francis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cailee-francis/i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i-never-felt-they-consumed-me/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Better person" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cailee-francis/i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i-never-felt-they-consumed-me/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/cailee-francis-74684_better-person_i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i_1774407.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/cailee-francis-74684_better-person_i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i_1774407.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/cailee-francis-74684_better-person_i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i_1774407.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I often had thoughts of vengeance, but I never felt they consumed me. In the days after our conversation, I…” — Cailee Francis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Cailee Francis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cailee-francis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I often had thoughts of vengeance,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cailee-francis/i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i-never-felt-they-consumed-me/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cailee-francis/i-often-had-thoughts-of-vengeance-but-i-never-felt-they-consumed-me/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```