Revenge though a blind mischievous passion, is yet a very sweet thing:
so sweet, that it can even soothe the pangs and reconcile us to the
bitterness of death. And, indeed, it must be a temper highly
philosophical, that could be driven out of life by any tyrannical unjust
procedure, and not be touched with a sense of pleasure to see the author
of it splitting upon the same rock. When this is allowed, and it is
further considered how easily the revenge of the meanest person may be
executed even upon the highest, it should, methinks, keep people upon
their guard, and prevail with them not to persecute or be injurious to
any one. The moral turpitude of doing wrong is sufficient to influence
every brave honest man, and to secure him from harbouring even the least
thought of it in his breast: but the knave and the coward should weigh
the present argument, and, before they attempt the least injury, be
assured of this truth, that nothing is more sweet, nor scarce any thing
so easy to compass, as revenge.