revenge is a kind of wild justice; which the more man’s nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out for as for the first wrong, it doth but offend the law; but the revenge of that wrong, putteth the law out of office. certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior: for it is a prince’s part to pardon. and solomon, i am sure, saith, it is the glory of a man to pass by an offence. that which is past, is gone, and irrevocable; and wise men have enough to do, with things present, and to come: therefore, they do but trifle with themselves, that labour in past matters. there is no man doth a wrong, for the wrong’s sake; but thereby to purchase himself profit, or pleasure, or honour, or the like. therefore why should i be angry with a man, for loving himself better than me?

复仇是一种野生的裁判。人类底天性越是向着它，法律就越应当耘除它。因为头一个罪恶不过是触犯了法律;可是报复这件罪恶的举动却把法律底位子夺了。无疑地，复了仇不过使一个人和他底仇人得平而已，但若置而不较，他就比他底仇人高出一等了;因为宽宥仇敌是君王底气概也。确信所罗门有言：“人有怨仇而不报是他底光荣”。过去的事情是已经过去了，并且是叫不回来了;明智的人留心现在和将来的事情已经够忙的了;所以那些劳劳于过去的事情的人简直是枉费心力而已。没有人是为了作恶而作恶的;而是为了要给自己取得利益、乐趣、或荣誉、或类此的事情的。因此为什么我要对着某人因为他爱自己胜于爱我而生气呢?