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About this quote

What does it mean?
Revenge is depicted as a primitive object of worship from a less civilized age.
In plain terms
Seeking revenge is like worshipping an idol from a barbaric past.
What can you take from it?
Reject revenge as an outdated value.

Where it applies

  • ethical debate
  • conflict resolution
  • moral philosophy

Putting it to work

  • reject revenge
  • value peace

Questions to consider

  • Is revenge ever moral?
  • What replaces revenge?

Another view

It simplifies the psychological need for justice.

More from Percy Bysshe Shelley

  1. Poetry is a mirror which makes beautiful that which is distorted.

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  2. Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar.

    Permalink to quote #164
  3. The pleasure that is in sorrow is sweeter than the pleasure of pleasure itself.

    Permalink to quote #161

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