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Of Revenge
Of Revenge
Bacon extends his argument about the wrongs that cannot be pardoned.
These wrongs usually come from our beloved friend, as one can forgive
the enemy form whom we can expect such wrongs but these sort of
friend are like snakes who stabs at your back and doesn’t give you a
moment to understand what they have done to you. The author quoted
the Cosmos, the Duke of Florence that we have read that we are
commanded to forgive our enemies, but we have never read that we are
commanded to forgive our friends. But still, bacon says, we should not
be so much inclined toward avenging them. As we are satisfied to take
all good deeds from God but why are we not happy to take evil from
him, too? So, we should forgive even our friends and consider them an
evil from the God.
Bacon, lastly, ends the essay by arguing that public revenge, on the most
past for bad leader or rules is fortunate. He gives examples of the public
death of Caesar, Partinax (a Roman emperor), and Henry the Third of
France. In public act of revenge, there is a huge lesson for the public and
rest of people as it set an example for other while the private revenge, on
the other hand, makes a person, who nourishes evil desires for others, to
live a life of witches. Such life is full of rascal so they end,
unfortunately.
Bacon explains a logical argument for why should one look for to harm
others? As one doesn’t go wrong for the wrong sake. To him, one might
get some profit by harming others, or some pleasure like a sadist or to
achieve some honor. If these could be the reasons to do wrong with
others then one should not avenge them as you cannot hate someone
because they love themselves more than you. Further, if someone is
doing wrong because of their ill-nature then they are just like “thorns
and briars that can only cut and scratch”. Forgive them, and move on.
By taking revenge, Bacon argues, one takes the law into his hands. Law
becomes useless if one tries to take revenge. But such type of revenge is
bearable which has no lawful remedy. One should make sure, Bacon
warns, that there is then no law to punish. Along with this, one should
make the opposition informed before avenging them. This might make
them sorry which is more worth than harming them.
Bacon is totally against private revenge but suggests that public act of
revenge are for the most part fortunate as it set an example for all. On
the other hand, private revenge is unfortunate. The person who takes
revenge lives a life of witches and his wound never heals.