What is your opinion on the quote "An eye for an eye?"?

Answer 1

As mentioned, the original saying was to limit the degree of punishment a crime can earn. No killing your neighbor for sleeping with your wife, for example. It is the exact oposite of revenge, as revenge just wants to hurt the other person, whereas this requires a punishment that is befitting of what an individual does.

Furthermore, it also requires equality. This is often compared with the Code of Hammurabi, which has similar laws, but adjusts punishments based on social class. Thus, under such a code, a noble who gouges out a slaves eye only pays a little money compensation, while a slave who gouges out a noble's eye might be killed (or some such).

"An eye for an eye" is justice, a society cannot exist without justice. However, a society cannot survive without mercy either. Thus, why one needs this quote's partner quote, "turn the other cheek."

Answer 2

This injunction is about placing a LIMIT on what can be done to another as retribution. And, the quote from Ghandi -- well, it's ironic, since Ghandi advances a notion that is the OPPOSITE of what the principle advocates. "An eye for an eye" means that you cannot take out two eyes -- thus, you cannot inflict MORE injury onto a person... It's about the scales of justice...they need to be even -- equally balanced -- not lopsided (not killing person X because he took out your eye.) (As a further note, Jewish courts never blinded a person -- they had any offender pay a monetary compensation.)

Answer 3

"
You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone back bitchslap you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
"

"
Yo, you who believe! Payback is prescribed for you in the matter of the slain, the free for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female, but if any forgiveness is made to any one by his brother, then enforcement should be made according to usage, and payment should be made to him in a good manner; this is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy; so whoever exceeds the limit after this he shall have a painful jus deserts.

And there is life for you in payback, yo, men of understanding, that you may guard yourselves.
"

Answer 4

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" means that whole families should not be wiped out because one family member knocked a rival family member's tooth out. Justice should be equitable.

In the tribal areas of the Middle East and South Asia, this primitive legal concept is still light years away from their ancient honor code of massive retaliation and endless vengeance.

In trying to teach them this, in trying to drag them kicking and screaming out of the Dark Ages, we have reaped a whirlwind.

Answer 5

An eye for an eye is one of the fairest forms of retribution against criminals, but it cant be carved in stone.

Another quote that fits is " Don't do the crime if you can't do the time".

Answer 6

Often misunderstood. Many folk seem to think it specifies specific punishments for specific crimes, making the punishment fit the crime.

But within its Biblical context it is actually a limitation upon punishment, i.e. if someone in your family lost an arm in a fight you couldn't go out and cut off the attacker's arm and leg.

Answer 7

I agree with Ghandi on this one... I think he said something like, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

Answer 8

Gandhi said:an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind!

Answer 9

"An eye for an eye" spells Revenge. Do you like to have revenge? How about this one: "Two wrong doesn't make one right."

Answer 10

To me it signifies that, unfortunately, the Human ANIMAL still dwells in the pits of the Universe.