When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should—so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again.
 Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre (16 October 1847). copy citation

edit
Author Charlotte Brontë
Source Jane Eyre
Topic injustice retaliation
Date 16 October 1847
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1260/1260-h/1260-h.htm

Context

“If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should—so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again.»
«You will change your mind, I hope, when you grow older: as yet you are but a little untaught girl.»
«But I feel this, Helen; I must dislike those who, whatever I do to please them, persist in disliking me; I must resist those who punish me unjustly.” source

Meaning and analysis

write a note
report