Revenge

The Father looks from Heaven and sees me covered with wounds from the injustice of men, and says: “Do not take revenge.”
On whom shall I take revenge, O Lord? On a portion of the flock on its way to slaughter?
Does a physician take revenge on patients, for cursing him from the death bed?
On whom shall I take revenge? On the snow, for melting, or on the grass, for withering? Does a gravedigger take revenge on those descending into the grave?
On whom shall I take revenge? On simpletons, for thinking hat they can do evil to somone else in the world besides themselves? Does a teacher take revenge on illiterate children for not knowing how to read?
Eternity bears me witness, that all those who are quick to avenge are slow to read and comprehend the mysteries of vengeance.
Time bears me witness, that all those who have taken revenge, have accumulated poison in themselves, and with poison they have blotted themselves out of the book of the living.
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Nature bears me witness, avengers: a man is more powerful than those who do him evil only when he is powerless to repeat their evil deeds.
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I do not seek vengeance, my Father; I do not seek vengeance, but seek rather that You grant me a sea of tears, so that I can bewail the wretchedness of those who are on their way to slaughter, unaware of where they are heading.

St. Nicolai Velemirovic, Prayers by the Lake, Prayer LXXIV