In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy but in passing it over, he is superior.
revenge
Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more man's nature runs to the more ought law to weed it out.
Deformed persons are commonly even with nature; for as nature hath done ill by them, so do they by nature; being for the most part (as the Scripture saith) void of natural affection; and so they have their revenge of nature.
nature revenge
A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green.
man revenge
This is certain, that a man that studieth revenge keeps his wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well.
Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior; for it is a prince's part to pardon.