Or lex talionis (Ex. 21: 23-25; Lev. 24: 18-21; Deut. 19: 21). The Mosaic law aimed at making the punishment an appropriate equivalent to the offence committed. Wrong doing must not go unpunished; on the other hand, however, the punishment must not be vindictive or excessive. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5: 38-42), the Lord goes further, and urges us, so far as private wrongs to ourselves are concerned, not to retaliate at all (cf. Rom. 12: 17, 19).

See also Revenge.