"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind"

Retribution, when pursued endlessly through the logic of "an eye for an eye", breeds an infinite cycle of revenge, offering neither closure nor true justice. The metaphorical blindness referenced here illustrates how retaliatory action, even when justified by prior wrongs, ultimately inflicts suffering upon all parties involved. When anger and vengeance dictate responses to harm, each successive act becomes fuel for further retaliation, leaving no one untouched or unscathed by the consequences. What once began as a quest for fairness is quickly transformed into a destructive force, consuming the moral vision and empathy of those involved.

The phrase serves as a warning about the hazards of equating justice solely with payback. Societies or individuals who insist on equivalence in punishment risk proliferating violence and perpetuating animosity. As more people become entangled in the web of reprisal, collective suffering grows. Blindness, here, is not just a loss of sight but a failure of humanity to break free from cycles of hostility and retribution. It suggests a moral and spiritual darkness that envelops everyone, obscuring understanding, compassion, and hope.

Gandhi advocates for an approach to conflict and wrongdoing centered on forgiveness, restraint, and the pursuit of resolution over retribution. By prioritizing nonviolent principles and seeking reconciliation, it is possible to transcend instant desires for revenge and nurture a society rooted in empathy and respect. True progress and lasting peace demand the ability to move beyond narrow definitions of justice based on retaliation, recognizing that responding to harm with compassion holds the transformative potential to heal rather than perpetuate wounds.

Rejecting endless retaliation restores vision to individuals and communities. Upholding forgiveness and understanding requires courage and strength, traits that can reshape relationships and heal divisions. Gandhi’s insight calls everyone to reflect on their responses to injustice, encouraging a path that leads not to collective blindness, but toward shared clarity and meaningful peace.