Revenge Quotes & Sayings | The Art of Getting Even

Revenge is a concept as old as time. It stirs deep emotions and can lead us down dangerous paths. However, as many wise voices have shared, the act of revenge often hurts the one seeking it more than the person it’s aimed at. While it might seem sweet in the moment, the aftereffects of revenge often linger. Below are some thought-provoking quotes about revenge, capturing its complexities and dangers, as well as the alternative path of forgiveness.

Quotes on the Nature of Revenge

Revenge can feel satisfying in the moment, but as many have discovered, it rarely brings lasting peace. These quotes highlight the internal struggle and consequences that come with seeking revenge.

• Revenge is a poison meant for others, which we end up swallowing ourselves.
• An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind. – Mahatma Gandhi
• Before you begin on the journey of revenge, dig two graves.
• Revenge is a king of wild justice. – Francis Bacon
• Vengeance is a dark light that blinds all who seek it.
• Revenge?? No, I’m too lazy for that. I’m going to sit here and let karma mess you up.
• The best revenge is not to be like your enemy. – Marcus Aurelius
• Revenge is an infection of the spirit. – Jonathan Maberr
• Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. – Nelson Mandela
• Revenge is Always Sweet, it’s the Aftertaste that’s Bitter. – Joshua Caleb
• Revenge will never solve anything, KARMA will.
• Success is the greatest revenge.
• Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent people ignore. – Albert Einstein
• Revenge doesn’t stop. – Daniel Craig
• The soul of mercy is better than a soul that is revengeful. – Angelina Elise
• Revenge is a dish best served by a tennis racket. – Josh Stern
• Forgiveness is the biggest revenge.
• Success is the best revenge.
• Revenge is self-defeating. It will eat away at you until there is nothing left. – Chris Bradford
• Revenge is sweet in existence, till you age a lonely sour existence.
• Resentment is a method of self-harm. – Nelson Mandela

Success as the Best Revenge Quotes

Many have found that the most satisfying form of revenge isn’t retaliation, but living a successful, fulfilled life. These quotes remind us that the best way to deal with those who’ve wronged us is to rise above and focus on our own growth.

• The best revenge is to show them that your life is getting better after they’re gone. – Nishan Panwar
• The biggest slap to your enemies is your success!
• The greatest revenge is to do what others say you cannot do.
• The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury. – Marcus Aurelius
• Sometimes the best revenge is to smile and move on.
• Living well is the best revenge. – George Herbert
• The best revenge is living well. – Jerry Seinfeld
• Sometimes the best revenge is just a simple smile, to let them know you’re doing just fine.
• There’s always a person that you hated for no reason.
• The best revenge is to be successful. It’s to stay strong and move forward in life; never stopping, never giving up.
• The best revenge is not to be like your enemy. – Marcus Aurelius
• The best revenge is to move forward with your life and show your haters that their negativity had no effect on you.
• Success is the best revenge.
• Revenge based on vengeance will destroy your character, capacity, and finally destroy you.
• Living happily is the best revenge you can do to people who have hurt you in the past.

The Dangers of Revenge

Revenge often has unintended consequences, leading to deeper harm for both parties involved. These quotes caution against the path of vengeance and highlight the wisdom of letting go.

• Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. – Confucius
• Revenge is a fire kindled within your heart. It always haunts you from within.
• There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness. – Josh Billings
• Revenge is a dish best served cold.
• Revenge is like a garbage, it will not last longer, just throw it away.
• Holding anger is a poison…It eats you from inside…We think that by hating someone we hurt them…But hatred is a curved blade…and the harm we do to others…we also do to ourselves. – Mitch Albom
• Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged. – Samuel Johnson
• Revenge weakens society; forgiveness gives it strength. – Dalai Lama
• Hate is misguided love.
• Vengeance is a dark light that blinds all who seek it.
• Revenge can also make a hero the villain.
• Revenge is a bottomless pit; the deeper you dig, the further you fall.
• Revenge can be bitter sweet, but if you sit back and watch, karma can be pure entertainment. – Ritu Ghatourey
• Revenge is a poison meant for others, which we end up swallowing ourselves.
• The axe forgets but the tree doesn’t.
• Revenge is a dish best served by patience, silence, and success.

Forgiveness: The Ultimate Revenge

While revenge might feel satisfying in the moment, forgiveness offers a more profound, lasting form of strength. These quotes emphasize the power of forgiveness in moving forward.

• The noblest revenge is to forgive. – Thomas Fuller
• There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness. – Josh Billings
• Forgiveness is the biggest revenge.
• Revenge is profitable, but forgiveness is priceless.
• Nothing inspires forgiveness quite like revenge. – Scott Adams
• To forgive is to set a prisoner free, only to discover that the prisoner was you.
• Before you seek revenge, consider the peace that comes with forgiveness.
• To forgive is the ultimate form of revenge against hate.
• Revenge is sweet in the short term, but forgiveness is sweet forever.
• True power lies not in revenge, but in forgiveness.
• Sometimes, forgiveness is the greatest revenge.
• Revenge stirs chaos; forgiveness restores peace.
• Forgiveness is the gift you give yourself.
• The best revenge is no revenge, but instead, forgiveness and moving forward.
• While revenge weakens society, forgiveness gives it strength. – Dalai Lama

Revenge may seem like the path to satisfaction, but often it is a path to more pain. True strength lies in moving forward, in seeking success, and in choosing forgiveness over hate. The quotes above reveal that while revenge may feel powerful in the moment, it’s ultimately a hollow victory. In the end, living well and finding peace within yourself is the greatest revenge of all.