means the return of injury for injury, and differs materially from that sudden resentment which rises in the mind immediately on being injured; which, so far from being culpable when restrained within due bounds, is absolutely necessary for self-preservation. Revenge, on the contrary, is a cool and deliberate wickedness, and is often executed years after the offence was given; and the desire of it is generally the effect of littleness, weakness, and vice; while, to do right, and to suffer wrong, is an argument of a great soul, that scorns to stoop to suggested revenges.

Revenge is but a frailty incident To craz'd and sickly minds; the poor content Of little souls, unable to surmount An injury, too weak to bear affront. Dryden.

Revenge is generally the concomitant of savage minds, of minds implacable, and capable of the most horrid barbarities; unable to set any limits to their displeasure, they can confine their anger within no bounds of reason.

Cruel revenge, which still we find The weakest frailty of a feeble mind, Degenerous passion, and for man too base, It seats its empire in the savage race. Juvenal.

The institution of law prevents the execution of private revenge, and the growth of civilization shows its impropriety. Though in modern times a species of revenge is sanctioned by what is called the law of honour, which evades the law of the land indeed, but which is equally mean and disgraceful as the other kinds, and is of consequences equally baneful. See ANGER, DUELING, and RESENTMENT.