- English translation
Repay the one who harms you with kindness; his own deed will be punishment enough.
- Literal wording
Whoever wronged you, do good to him; his deed is enough for the one being repaid.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying advises answering harm with kindness. Instead of striking back at someone who has treated you badly, you should treat that person well and refuse to mirror the injury you received.
It also offers a consolation: the wrongdoer needs no punishment from you, because the bad act itself will come back on its author. Retribution is left to consequence, or to a higher justice, rather than to personal revenge.
- When it is used
Suited to moments when someone has been wronged and is tempted to retaliate. A speaker offers it to urge generosity in return, reassuring the listener that the offender's own conduct will eventually catch up with him. It is counsel against revenge, not a threat.
- Register
- colloquial proverbial speech
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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