Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...

An eye for an eye.

[color=#ff0000]"“That's the difference between me and the rest of the world!
Happiness isn't good enough for me! I demand euphoria!” "[/color]

I'd try to be pragmatic about it. Ideally, I'd only set about taking revenge if it made sense to do so.

Have I been wronged or affronted seriously enough to warrant it? Petty things I would, in almost all circumstances, let slide, unless the person was making a habit of it - in which case I'd me more inclined to try to divine and then resolve the issue at hand than to try and get back at someone.

Will it benefit me to seek revenge? In most cases I would say it's better, when wronged, to focus on productively advancing one's interests and preventing one's self from being wronged in such a way again, than to waste time, energy, and resources trying to get even. On the other hand, there are situations in which others around you know that you have been wronged where failing to retaliate quickly and decisively could be construed by those others as a sign of weakness; in such a situation, self-preservation would obligate you to take vengeance, whether or not you have any personal malice toward the offender. Not doing so could cause you to be set upon by new enemies that might have otherwise left you alone.

What are the risks associated with exacting revenge? I would only take revenge if there's a good enough chance that I can get away with whatever it is I'm planning to do.

Will the offender, allies of his, or any punishing powers that be know that I'm responsible for what happens to him? If the offender has the power to seriously retaliate, it would only make sense to take revenge if circumstances absolutely require it, or if I could do so such that the offender either does not realize that I'm responsible, or if he suspects, lacks proof (assuming circumstances are such that he would require proof to retaliate).

Do others, especially the powers that be, know that I have been wronged? If I take revenge, will they know? If taking revenge carries the risk either of retribution at the hands of a neutral third party or of doing serious damage to my reputation, it may not make sense to take revenge.

Essentially, I would be as Machiavellian as possible about it, and consider the situation before I even entertain thoughts of vengeance.

Allow me to reacquaint you with... THE GROUND!

probably second one...

for example today a bastard took my umbrella that i left at the entrance to a pub...and it was raining outside...

so as soon as i get dry and the rain stops, i'm gonna exercise some revenge on the bastard.

If the sea were made of Whiskey and I was a duck
I'd swim to the bottom and never come up

Let's just say that I have my limits, and when there broken you better damn well be praying.

Quote from KennEH!

Let's just say that I have my limits, and when there broken you better damn well be praying.

But in that sense, is it revenge or retaliation?

I personally define revenge as premeditated and prolonged/postponed.

Retaliation to me is immediate and cathartic.

Listen here
Livin just to keep from dyin
[img]http://imagegen.last.fm/TheDarkTen/recenttracks/imgooley.gif[/img]

Quote from ahoaho

Quote from KennEH!

Let's just say that I have my limits, and when there broken you better damn well be praying.

But in that sense, is it revenge or retaliation?

I personally define revenge as premeditated and prolonged/postponed.

Retaliation to me is immediate and cathartic.

Revenge by definition is punishment for a wrong (or supposed wrong). Retaliation is to give what evil was done to oneself. Say you hit me I hit you is retaliation. Revenge is where you could hit me or my best friend and I trip you, because think it's suitable punishment for your "crime."

Quote from KennEH!

Quote from ahoaho

Quote from KennEH!

Let's just say that I have my limits, and when there broken you better damn well be praying.

But in that sense, is it revenge or retaliation?

I personally define revenge as premeditated and prolonged/postponed.

Retaliation to me is immediate and cathartic.

Revenge by definition is punishment for a wrong (or supposed wrong). Retaliation is to give what evil was done to oneself. Say you hit me I hit you is retaliation. Revenge is where you could hit me or my best friend and I trip you, because think it's suitable punishment for your "crime."

True, but in this context, I personally would classify both as retaliation, if they were done as immediate response to a unwanted action.

The term 'revenge is a dish best served cold' is what I would use as a contextual reference to my meaning.

Listen here
Livin just to keep from dyin
[img]http://imagegen.last.fm/TheDarkTen/recenttracks/imgooley.gif[/img]

Revenge never works. Revenge = more hate which I attempt to avoid at all costs.

retaliation is performed after immediate wrong doing...while revenge is something that happens if one is for some reason unable to retaliate...

so revenge is often planed...while retaliation is somewhat as a...reflex

though it all depends on the sort and severity of the wrong doing

at least i see it that way...

If the sea were made of Whiskey and I was a duck
I'd swim to the bottom and never come up

I suppose it depends on the situation... I mean, if my sister slaps me, then I don't think twice about kicking her (we love each other... I swear...!), but actually plan serious revenge for something.... then no. Let's say I tend to be the bigger person.

I was bullied by my classmates when I was in eight grade (I had just gone to Italy after spending to years in the US), and at first I was very discouraged and scared, and tried to ignore them (BAD IDEA!). But when the jerks finally went and crossed the line (namely pulled down my pants in front of the entire school), instead of asking for punishment for them (since teachers had been present, the principal asked me if I wanted them suspended or something... which would have been a very nice revenge, since it would have been on their school records!), I just snapped and gave them a piece of my mind (I was sooo cool!), and in the end they not only stopped bothering me... they actually became friendly.

But, yeah, I never actually planned a real revenge against them. I just hoped they learned a lesson there.

Quote from ahoaho

Quote from KennEH!

Quote from ahoaho

[quote=KennEH!]Let's just say that I have my limits, and when there broken you better damn well be praying.

But in that sense, is it revenge or retaliation?

I personally define revenge as premeditated and prolonged/postponed.

Retaliation to me is immediate and cathartic.

Revenge by definition is punishment for a wrong (or supposed wrong). Retaliation is to give what evil was done to oneself. Say you hit me I hit you is retaliation. Revenge is where you could hit me or my best friend and I trip you, because think it's suitable punishment for your "crime."

True, but in this context, I personally would classify both as retaliation, if they were done as immediate response to a unwanted action.

The term 'revenge is a dish best served cold' is what I would use as a contextual reference to my meaning.[/quote]
But, if you are using your meaning then how would I have known? I gave my answer according to what it's original context is, not to what the world takes the word as.

Now if I answer through your definition I'd still say it depends on the situation, though even more so. If I am going to plan revenge it would depend on, how bad it what was done, my feelings after I've calmed down (if need be), and if I am prepared enough to retaliate or should wait (look before you leap).

I'm actually really petty. If someone drinks the last of my soda, I'll eat the last of their donuts. Cause and effect.

[img]http://s4.tinypic.com/23jr85h.jpg[/img]

Quote from Calliber

Do unto others as you have them do unto you...

An eye for an eye.

That is a great saying. However, from looking at your second saying, I'm thinking that you're misinterpreting that great Confucius saying. First, it's "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The saying doesn't mean if someone does this to you, you should do it back. It is saying that you should treat people the way you want them to treat you. So, if someone treats you poorly, you shouldn't treat them poorly in return. You should treat them the way you want to be treated. Now if you want to be treated poorly then that's a different story. But essentially, that is what the saying means. That saying is adapted by many different people, like Jesus, except he phrases it differently. The famous "Turn the other cheek" phrase. And of course, Ghandi is also a popular one.

As for the second saying, "An eye for an eye" was not originally made as a way to defend vengeance, but rather as a way to properly carry out legal actions. The first mention was actually shown between two warriors. It was said that if one warrior were to take the eye of his opponent, he should give his eye as compensation. So, when you really look at it as it was originally meant, it isn't for promoting vengeance. It was merely a way to carry out legal actions. And if you really want to take it a step further, I could say that saying is missing the second half (by Ghandi), "An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind."

Quote from sandman1008

Quote from Calliber

Do unto others as you have them do unto you...

An eye for an eye.

As for the second saying, "An eye for an eye" was not originally made as a way to defend vengeance, but rather as a way to properly carry out legal actions. The first mention was actually shown between two warriors. It was said that if one warrior were to take the eye of his opponent, he should give his eye as compensation. So, when you really look at it as it was originally meant, it isn't for promoting vengeance. It was merely a way to carry out legal actions. And if you really want to take it a step further, I could say that saying is missing the second half (by Ghandi), "An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind."

I meant it like this. I treat people the way I want them to treat me. If someone does some disrespectful stuff, then to me, that means that's how they want people to treat them. I'd love for someone to treat me the way I want to be treated, and I'm just doing the same for them. So, I oblige their request with disrespect myself.

That's how I tie those two sayings together. Might not make much sense to you, but then again, it's not supposed to be simple.

Here's a question for you:
Assume everyone in the world is always right. Why is everyone being right, wrong?

If you get that then you might be able to get wat I'm saying. I just don't feel like elaborating, so I'll let you figure it out one your own... if you want.

[color=#ff0000]"“That's the difference between me and the rest of the world!
Happiness isn't good enough for me! I demand euphoria!” "[/color]

It really depends ont he circumstances and how serious they are, but I wouldn't put myself past backstabbing if I felt the person really deserved it. I'm a vengeful person, it may take me months or even years but eventually I'll get back at the person who wronged me.