When persons have carried their differences to an extreme length, it
is in vain for them to think of renewing a cordial friendship; for in
the heat of their quarrel, many injuries must have been reciprocally
offered and received, which must tear asunder the strongest bands
of amity. The fury of their dissentions may indeed subside, yet
neither party can forgive the wrongs which neither can forget. The
consciousness of having provoked the resentment of another, will dwell
so continually upon the mind of the aggressor, that he cannot rest till
he has finished his work, and put it as much as possible out of his
enemy’s power to make any return upon him; and the old proverb will be
verified which says, “The man who has injured you, will never forgive
you.” Morality bids us forgive our enemies, and the voice of reason
confirms the same; but neither reason nor morality bids us enter into
a friendship with, or repose a confidence in, those who have injured
us, and of whom we have a bad opinion. We may resolve not to return
ill-usage; but ought never to put ourselves into the power of an enemy.
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