While I was taking this “London Eye” picture a couple standing next to me started having an argument about unkind actions they had done to each other recently.
Later that day, I thought about the few people I’ve met over the years that follow the principle “an eye for an eye”. People that honestly admitted they wished no harm to others but if something hurtful were done to them, physically or emotionally, they would retaliate in the same way.
Although some might think this principle could be considered equitable I completely disagree with it. Is it really fair?
I was brought up to believe actions such as revenge and retaliation were negative regardless of how fair or equal they intended or seemed to be. Chances are that living under this premise would unavoidably start a chain reaction. People would go through various feelings and emotions; they have lived their own experiences throughout their lives and what may be considered hurtful or harmful for some might not be as painful for others and vice versa. We all cope with pain in different ways, and the intensity of many personal “pay backs” would be greater or lesser than others, depending on one’s own perception and judgement of what could be considered as “fair” or “just” compensation.
I believe following this principle would eventually lead to resentfulness and bitterness.
As a child, whenever I got hurt and encountered this kind of problem, my Mom and Dad always said to me, “Never take revenge… Be the better person.” In time I learned that being the “better person” was never about showing weakness… but rather a sign of strength."An eye for an eye would make the whole world blind." - Mahatma Gandhi
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