"Just vengeance does not call for punishment"

Pierre Corneille, a notable 17th-century French playwright, explores complex ethical and philosophical concerns in his works, and the quote "Just vengeance does not call for punishment" reflects a nuanced understanding of justice and retribution.

To translate this quote, it's important to consider the distinction in between vengeance and justice. Revenge typically involves inflicting harm or penalty on somebody in retaliation for a wrong they have devoted. It is often driven by individual feelings such as anger or animosity. Justice, on the other hand, is a principle that goes for fairness and moral rightness. It seeks to restore balance and order instead of simply inflicting pain or causing suffering as vengeance might.

Corneille's quote recommends that true justice-- or what he refers to as "simply vengeance"-- does not always require punishment in the conventional sense. Instead, it suggests that the principle of justice transcends mere retribution. For justice to be "just", it needs to focus on repair, rehab, and the betterment of all parties involved rather than simply on punishment for its own sake.

This perspective aligns with more modern views on corrective justice, which stresses healing over retribution. Corrective justice seeks to fix the damage triggered by criminal behavior through cooperative procedures that consist of all stakeholders. It is asserted on the concept that often, those who have actually done wrong can contribute positively to society's healing if provided the opportunity for redemption instead of mere punishment.

Corneille's quote invites us to reassess conventional views on justice, encouraging a more informed approach that values forgiveness, understanding, and the transformative potential of human experience. It urges people to seek resolution and growth over anger and retribution, recommending that the ultimate objective needs to be societal healing and progress rather than perpetuating cycles of penalty and animosity.