--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Revenge may be wicked, but it’s natural." description: "\"Revenge may be wicked, but it’s natural.\" — William Makepeace Thackeray" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72e/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_may_revenge-may-be-wicked-but-it-s-natural-1_162035.jpg" --- # Revenge may be wicked, but it’s natural. ![“Revenge may be wicked, but it’s natural.” quote by William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72e/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_may_revenge-may-be-wicked-but-it-s-natural-1_162035.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72e/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_may_revenge-may-be-wicked-but-it-s-natural-1_162035.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72e/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_may_revenge-may-be-wicked-but-it-s-natural-1_162035.jpg) > “Revenge may be wicked, but it’s natural.” [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Revenge feels instinctive but conflicts with moral standards, highlighting tension between natural impulses and ethical conduct. **In simple terms:** Revenge is natural but immoral. Key Takeaway Choose ethical response over revenge. Themes revenge morality human nature justice self‑control Mood conflicted cautionary thought‑provoking Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - conflict resolution - legal systems - personal relationships - cultural narratives - psychology Key Concepts Impulse ethical dilemma social order Questions to Reflect On - What alternatives to revenge can restore justice? - How does society discourage vengeful behavior? A Different Perspective Revenge can perpetuate cycles of harm and retaliation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) [Revenge Wicked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge-wicked-1774169/) [Wicked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wicked/) [Wicked Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wicked-natural-1774170/) ## Related quotes > [Vengeance comes not slowly either upon you or any other wicked man, but steals silently and imperceptibly, placing its foot on the bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/vengeance-comes-not-slowly-either-upon-you-or-any-other-wicked-man/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [A wicked mortal is not the idea of God. He is little else than the expression of error. To suppose that sin, lust, hatred,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-baker-eddy/a-wicked-mortal-is-not-the-idea-of-god-he-is-little-else-than-the/) [Mary Baker Eddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-baker-eddy/) > [A wicked man in prayer may lift up his hands, but he cannot lift up his face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/a-wicked-man-in-prayer-may-lift-up-his-hands-but-he-cannot-lift-up/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [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/) > [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/) > [The willingness to reach inside every part of yourself opens the door to total understanding. 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Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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