---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But men often mistake killing and revenge…"
description: "\"But men often mistake killing and revenge for justice. They seldom have the stomach for justice.\" — Robert Jordan"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/robert-jordan-438_justice_but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-reveng_1649849.jpg"
---

#  But men often mistake killing and revenge for justice…

![“But men often mistake killing and revenge for justice. They seldom have the stomach for justice.” quote by Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/robert-jordan-438_justice_but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-reveng_1649849.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/robert-jordan-438_justice_but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-reveng_1649849.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/robert-jordan-438_justice_but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-reveng_1649849.jpg)

> “But men often mistake killing and revenge for justice. They seldom have the stomach for justice.”

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Men may confuse personal vengeance with true justice, lacking the moral courage to pursue fairness impartially.

**In simple terms:** Revenge is not justice; true justice needs courage.

Key Takeaway

Seek fairness, not revenge.

Themes

justice revenge morality

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- legal system
- personal conflict
- war
- crime

Key Concepts

ethics psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What distinguishes revenge from justice?
- Can one be just without anger?

A Different Perspective

Justice requires impartiality, not personal vendetta.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/)

## Related quotes

> [“What are you going to do? (Angelia) I ought to rip your throat out. But lucky for you, I’m just a dumb animal and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/what-are-you-going-to-do-angelia-i-ought-to-rip-your-throat-out-but/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [“Politics and justice seldom walk hand in hand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-gerard-trotman/politics-and-justice-seldom-walk-hand-in-hand/)

[Wayne Gerard Trotman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-gerard-trotman/)

> [Justice seldom happens by accident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-king/justice-seldom-happens-by-accident/)

[Patricia King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-king/)

> [Some men mistake generosity for charity: these flatter themselves that they are giving gratuitously, whilst they are merely rewarding secret services offered their vanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/some-men-mistake-generosity-for-charity-these-flatter-themselves-that/)

[Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/)

> [“He mistook, as the cleverest men often do mistake, in underrating the cruelty of women.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ouida/he-mistook-as-the-cleverest-men-often-do-mistake-in-underrating-the/)

[Ouida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ouida/)

> [“I know. And we have no does--not one--and no does means no kittens and in a few years no warren." It may seem incredible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-adams/i-know-and-we-have-no-does-not-one-and-no-does-means-no-kittens-and/)

[Richard Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-adams/)

> [It is incident to physicians, I am afraid, beyond all other men, to mistake subsequence for consequence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-incident-to-physicians-i-am-afraid-beyond-all-other-men-to/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [a woman who struggles to recover from a brutal attack and sets out on a dark, psychological and physical journey for revenge and justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/a-woman-who-struggles-to-recover-from-a-brutal-attack-and-sets-out-on/)

[Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/)

> [“There is revenge and then there is justice. Sometimes the two are met as one." -Christopher”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-e-woodiwiss/there-is-revenge-and-then-there-is-justice-sometimes-the-two-are-met/)

[Kathleen E. Woodiwiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-e-woodiwiss/)

> [“You speak good words, child, but sometimes what lies within is much darker. The line between justice and revenge is then. Justice is order;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amira-aly/you-speak-good-words-child-but-sometimes-what-lies-within-is-much/)

Amira Aly

> [Do not seek revenge and call it justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/do-not-seek-revenge-and-call-it-justice/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“These trials aren't about revenge. They're about justice. Don't you want justice , Rose Justice?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/these-trials-aren-t-about-revenge-they-re-about-justice-don-t-you/)

[Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/)

> [“I have written this book with the conviction that the response to injury does not have to be vengeance and that we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmood-mamdani/i-have-written-this-book-with-the-conviction-that-the-response-to/)

Mahmood Mamdani

> [To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, not justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/to-take-a-life-when-a-life-has-been-lost-is-revenge-not-justice/)

[Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/)

> [When we went into the ocean, I watched his body as he dove into the waves, and it gave me a feeling in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/when-we-went-into-the-ocean-i-watched-his-body-as-he-dove-into-the/)

[Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/)

## More by Robert Jordan

> [“It was an odd thing Tam had taught him. Concentrate on a single flame and feed all your passions into it—fear, hate, anger—until your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/it-was-an-odd-thing-tam-had-taught-him-concentrate-on-a-single-flame/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [“Relax, lad. Take life as it comes. Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/relax-lad-take-life-as-it-comes-run-when-you-have-to-fight-when-you/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [“As she spoke, the dice started tumbling inside his head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/as-she-spoke-the-dice-started-tumbling-inside-his-head/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [There was a wild light in his eyes. "Bring your lightnings, Aes Sedai. I will dance with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/there-was-a-wild-light-in-his-eyes-bring-your-lightnings-aes-sedai-i/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [My mother always told me the best way to learn to deal with a man was to learn to ride a mule. She said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/my-mother-always-told-me-the-best-way-to-learn-to-deal-with-a-man-was/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [“The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, Perrin. We’ve become what we needed to become.” Perrin”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/the-wheel-weaves-as-the-wheel-wills-perrin-we-ve-become-what-we/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [“All of you, fare well, and may you shelter in the palm of the Creator’s hand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/all-of-you-fare-well-and-may-you-shelter-in-the-palm-of-the-creator-s/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [If it's not forbidden, then it's allowed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/if-it-s-not-forbidden-then-it-s-allowed/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [“Stay and get married, or travel the Ways." Loial grimaced ruefully. "Life is very unsettling with ta'veren for friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/stay-and-get-married-or-travel-the-ways-loial-grimaced-ruefully-life/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [“Who would sup with the mighty must climb the path of daggers. -Anonymous notation found inked in the margin of a manuscript history (believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/who-would-sup-with-the-mighty-must-climb-the-path-of-daggers/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [Men always seem to refuse to admit they are sick until they're sick enough to make twice as much work for women. Then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/men-always-seem-to-refuse-to-admit-they-are-sick-until-they-re-sick/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [Beauty holds more worth than gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/beauty-holds-more-worth-than-gold/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [When the honey's out of the comb, there's no putting it back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/when-the-honey-s-out-of-the-comb-there-s-no-putting-it-back/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [Death comes to us all; we can only choose how to face it when it comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/death-comes-to-us-all-we-can-only-choose-how-to-face-it-when-it-comes/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

> [“Burn me," Mat said, throwing on the shirt he dug out of the bundle. "I'll give you a hundred Tar Valon marks if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/burn-me-mat-said-throwing-on-the-shirt-he-dug-out-of-the-bundle-i-ll/)

[Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

[Explore all 553 Robert Jordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/)

## More Justice quotes

> [Never fight on the wrong side; you might win but the burden of guilt is more than a loss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilian-salan/never-fight-on-the-wrong-side-you-might-win-but-the-burden-of-guilt/)

[Lilian Salan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilian-salan/)

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [“Crime and punishment can be summed up in two classifications: there are bad people and there are people who get into bad situations. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-dent-jr/crime-and-punishment-can-be-summed-up-in-two-classifications-there/)

[Johnnie Dent Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-dent-jr/)

> [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/)

[Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/)

> [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [“The jailers, the Court, everyone in that building – it wasn’t about justice; it was about obedience and intimidation…about maintaining order. Fear accomplished that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-allan/the-jailers-the-court-everyone-in-that-building-it-wasn-t-about/)

[Jay Allan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-allan/)

> [Civilized nations are ones that simply can't endure wrongs or injustice except at home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-anderson/civilized-nations-are-ones-that-simply-can-t-endure-wrongs-or/)

Joseph Anderson

> [Time often serves to justify a deed which seems at first unjustifiable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-p-ryan/time-often-serves-to-justify-a-deed-which-seems-at-first-unjustifiable/)

Donald P. Ryan

> [This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day \[as a Fairfax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mason/this-cold-weather-has-set-all-the-young-folks-to-providing-bedfellows/)

[George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mason/)

> [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/)

[L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/)

> [At minimum, we must recognize that there are legitimate, unanswered questions about whether the Obama Justice Department involved themselves in a political project targeting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-meadows/at-minimum-we-must-recognize-that-there-are-legitimate-unanswered/)

[Mark Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-meadows/)

> [We need to incorporate that age-old concept of redemption into the work that we do in the criminal justice system in California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/we-need-to-incorporate-that-age-old-concept-of-redemption-into-the/)

[Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/)

> [There is no freedom without justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-wiesenthal/there-is-no-freedom-without-justice/)

[Simon Wiesenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-wiesenthal/)

> [“The absence of judgment becomes a catalyst and an enabler for greater injustice. Contrary to popular thought, judgment is a GOOD thing when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-chace-gordon/the-absence-of-judgment-becomes-a-catalyst-and-an-enabler-for-greater/)

[J. Chace Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-chace-gordon/)

> [The function of the law is not to provide justice or to preserve freedom. The function of the law is to keep those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-spence/the-function-of-the-law-is-not-to-provide-justice-or-to-preserve/)

[Gerry Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-spence/)

[Browse all 13,527 Justice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "But men often mistake killing and revenge for justice. They seldom have the stomach for justice.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert Jordan"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-revenge-for-justice-they-seldom/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Justice"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-revenge-for-justice-they-seldom/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/robert-jordan-438_justice_but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-reveng_1649849.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/robert-jordan-438_justice_but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-reveng_1649849.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/robert-jordan-438_justice_but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-reveng_1649849.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“But men often mistake killing and revenge for justice. They seldom have the stomach for justice.” — Robert Jordan",
                "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": "Robert Jordan",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "But men often mistake killing and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-revenge-for-justice-they-seldom/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/but-men-often-mistake-killing-and-revenge-for-justice-they-seldom/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
