Tertullian

“ How oft has its vehemence been found worse than the causes which led to it!—inasmuch as nothing undertaken with impatience can be effected without impetuosity: nothing done with impetuosity fails either to stumble, or else to fall altogether, or else to vanish headlong. Moreover, if you avenge yourself too slightly, you will be mad; if too amply, you will have to bear the burden. [13] What have I to do with vengeance, the measure of which, through impatience of pain, I am unable to regulate? ”

“ For what difference is there between provoker and provoked, except that the former is detected as prior in evil-doing, but the latter as posterior? Yet each stands impeached of hurting a man in the eye of the Lord, who both prohibits and condemns every wickedness. ”

“ In evil doing there is no account taken of order, nor does place separate what similarity conjoins. And the precept is absolute, that evil is not to be repaid with evil. [5] Like deed involves like merit. How shall we observe that principle, if in our loathing [6] we shall not loathe revenge? What honour, moreover, shall we be offering to the Lord God, if we arrogate to ourselves the arbitrament of vengeance? We are corrupt [7] —earthen vessels. [8] With our own servant-boys, [9] if they assume to themselves the right of vengeance on their fellow-servants, we are gravely offended ”