--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Topper had once heard a saying, \"If you…" description: "\"“Topper had once heard a saying, \"If you set out on the path to revenge, first dig two graves.\" But things worked a little differently in the savage dw..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fa/patrick-e-mclean-40540_revenge_topper-had-once-heard-a-saying-if-you-se_2321777.jpg" --- # Topper had once heard a saying, "If you set out on the… ![“Topper had once heard a saying, "If you set out on the path to revenge, first dig two graves." But things worked a little differently in the savage dwarf's head. So, he had remembered it like this, "If you set out on the path to revenge, first pour two glasses." And that's exactly what he did.” quote by Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fa/patrick-e-mclean-40540_revenge_topper-had-once-heard-a-saying-if-you-se_2321777.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fa/patrick-e-mclean-40540_revenge_topper-had-once-heard-a-saying-if-you-se_2321777.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fa/patrick-e-mclean-40540_revenge_topper-had-once-heard-a-saying-if-you-se_2321777.jpg) > ““Topper had once heard a saying, "If you set out on the path to revenge, first dig two graves." But things worked a little differently in the savage dwarf's head. So, he had remembered it like this, "If you set out on the path to revenge, first pour two glasses." And that's exactly what he did.”” [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeking vengeance can become a self‑destructive habit; the quote twists a warning into a toast to excess. **In simple terms:** Revenge can lead to self‑harm. Key Takeaway Avoid letting revenge dictate actions. Themes revenge self‑destruction humor Mood cautionary wry reflective Type philosophical humorous When to use this quote - personal relationships - conflict resolution - self‑control Key Concepts psychology oral lesson Questions to Reflect On - What personal grudges are you feeding? - How could you channel that energy positively? A Different Perspective Revenge may feel justified but often harms the avenger. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dig Two Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dig-two-graves/) [Path Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path-revenge-5553141/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) [Revenge Dig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge-dig-1825552/) [Revenge Pour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge-pour-5553140/) [Savage Dwarf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/savage-dwarf-5553142/) ## Related quotes > [The one who pursues revenge should dig two graves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-c-guelzo/the-one-who-pursues-revenge-should-dig-two-graves/) [Allen C. Guelzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-c-guelzo/) > [While seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/while-seeking-revenge-dig-two-graves-one-for-yourself/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [If you are bent on revenge, dig two graves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/old-chinese-proverb/if-you-are-bent-on-revenge-dig-two-graves/) [Old Chinese Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/old-chinese-proverb/) > [Before you enbark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/before-you-enbark-on-a-journey-of-revenge-dig-two-graves/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves, Confucius said. Revenge unstitches a civilisation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/before-you-embark-on-a-journey-of-revenge-dig-two-graves-confucius-3/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/before-you-embark-on-a-journey-of-revenge-dig-two-graves/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.-- Confucius”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/before-you-embark-on-a-journey-of-revenge-dig-two-graves-confucius-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When plotting revenge, you should dig two graves - one for your enemy, and the other for yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-robert-brown/when-plotting-revenge-you-should-dig-two-graves-one-for-your-enemy/) [Nathan Robert Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-robert-brown/) > [To Emback on a journey of revenge, dig two graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kings/to-emback-on-a-journey-of-revenge-dig-two-graves/) [Chris Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kings/) > [“He who seeks revenge should dig two graves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-haines/he-who-seeks-revenge-should-dig-two-graves/) [Mick Haines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-haines/) > [“Confucius said, “Before embarking upon a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” I planned to dig seven.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-st-germain/confucius-said-before-embarking-upon-a-journey-of-revenge-dig-two/) [Lili St. Germain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-st-germain/) > [“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves, Confucius said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/before-you-embark-on-a-journey-of-revenge-dig-two-graves-confucius/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [If you devote your life to seeking revenge, first dig two graves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/if-you-devote-your-life-to-seeking-revenge-first-dig-two-graves/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [When seeking revenge, dig two graves before you star, one for your enemy, the other for anyone who gets in your way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-heller/when-seeking-revenge-dig-two-graves-before-you-star-one-for-your/) [Andrew Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-heller/) > [When you seek revenge, be sure to dig two graves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-eccleston/when-you-seek-revenge-be-sure-to-dig-two-graves/) [Christopher Eccleston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-eccleston/) ## More by Patrick E. McLean > [“Throughout history, more has been lost to over-eager zealots than to mediocre slackers. A slacker leaves well enough alone. A zealot, a true patriot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-e-mclean/throughout-history-more-has-been-lost-to-over-eager-zealots-than-to/) [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) > [“But the concepts of the physical sciences were ill-adapted to a world filled with acting men and women. The psychologic, the economic, these were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-e-mclean/but-the-concepts-of-the-physical-sciences-were-ill-adapted-to-a-world/) [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) > [“Come now, Mr. Windsor. Even with your limited knowledge and frame of reference, you must recognize that diplomacy is merely a cover for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-e-mclean/come-now-mr-windsor-even-with-your-limited-knowledge-and-frame-of/) [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) > [“For all the clever jokes that could be made here involving "mind" and "matter" there is one sure and certain variation you can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-e-mclean/for-all-the-clever-jokes-that-could-be-made-here-involving-mind-and/) [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) > [“Edwin is prepared to believe that a glass exists. And further, that this glass holds liquid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-e-mclean/edwin-is-prepared-to-believe-that-a-glass-exists-and-further-that/) [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) > [“He is called Excelsior. In Latin the name means "ever higher". This impossible man does not know this. To be fair, there are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-e-mclean/he-is-called-excelsior-in-latin-the-name-means-ever-higher-this/) [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) > [“You hunt and catch your own food. Am I correct?" "We are fierce predators of the night," DeChevue said proudly. Edwin tried again, "You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-e-mclean/you-hunt-and-catch-your-own-food-am-i-correct-we-are-fierce-predators/) [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) > [“DeChevue entered the room. His long coat, which was draped across his shoulders, flowed behind him like a cape. An absurd effect, Edwin thought.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-e-mclean/dechevue-entered-the-room-his-long-coat-which-was-draped-across-his/) [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) > [“She sucked in air as if the only reason for her to breathe was to expel pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-e-mclean/she-sucked-in-air-as-if-the-only-reason-for-her-to-breathe-was-to/) [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) > [“There is no such thing as coincidence, Topper. It is always, always your enemies conspiring against you." (from How to Succeed in Evil)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-e-mclean/there-is-no-such-thing-as-coincidence-topper-it-is-always-always-your/) [Patrick E. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) [Explore all 11 Patrick E. McLean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-e-mclean/) ## More Revenge quotes > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) [James Nayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nayler/) > [“The best way to take revenge of me is to make me see you successful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-s-jagadeesh-kumar/the-best-way-to-take-revenge-of-me-is-to-make-me-see-you-successful/) [P.S. Jagadeesh Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-s-jagadeesh-kumar/) > [Revenge is a dish better severed cold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushan/revenge-is-a-dish-better-severed-cold/) [Sushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushan/) > [The best revenge in the world is success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suge-knight/the-best-revenge-in-the-world-is-success/) [Suge Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suge-knight/) > [And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, consult how we may henceforth most offend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-re-assembling-our-afflicted-powers-consult-how-we-may-henceforth/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/how-could-a-readiness-for-war-in-time-of-peace-be-safely-prohibited/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Convulsive anger storms at large; or pale And silent, settles into full revenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/convulsive-anger-storms-at-large-or-pale-and-silent-settles-into-full/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [If you put together all the ingredients that naturally attract children - sex, violence, revenge, spectacle and vigorous noise - what you have is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-martin/if-you-put-together-all-the-ingredients-that-naturally-attract/) [Judith Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-martin/) > [If someone steals my man, there's no better revenge than letting her keep him. A real man can't be stolen unless he wants to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/if-someone-steals-my-man-there-s-no-better-revenge-than-letting-her/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/the-best-revenge-is-to-be-unlike-him-who-performed-the-injury/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [But I believed in starting over. There was finally, I knew, only rupture and hurt and falling short between all persons, but, Shirley, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/but-i-believed-in-starting-over-there-was-finally-i-knew-only-rupture/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) > [As I predicted, young people who overwhelmingly didn't want Brexit have turned out in their droves and exacted revenge on a generation of Leavers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-soubry/as-i-predicted-young-people-who-overwhelmingly-didn-t-want-brexit/) [Anna Soubry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-soubry/) > [I am not vindictive, but very forgiving. Despite being wronged, I never took revenge on anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rituparna-sengupta/i-am-not-vindictive-but-very-forgiving-despite-being-wronged-i-never/) [Rituparna Sengupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rituparna-sengupta/) > [“the human is offered a choice: they can get revenge on me, or they can accept their pain and continue their journey”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-wade/the-human-is-offered-a-choice-they-can-get-revenge-on-me-or-they-can/) [Tobias Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobias-wade/) [Browse all 2,625 Revenge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Topper had once heard a saying, \"If you set out on the path to revenge, first dig two graves.\" But things worked a little differently in the savage dwarf's head. 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