The fifth behest is this: ‘Thou shalt slay no man.’ This behest forbids
that one shall slay another for revenge, or for his goods, or for other
wicked reason, for that is deadly sin. Nevertheless to slay evildoers,
in order to do and keep right, and for other good reason, (it) is good
right by the law to him that shall do it and is bound thereto.
In this behest is forbidden sin of hate, and of wrath, and of great ire.
For, as saith the Scripture, he that hateth his brother, he is a
man-slayer as to his will, and sins deadly; and he (also) that bears
long wrath against others; for such wrath, long held and befolded in the
heart, is in wrath and in hate, which is deadly sin and against this
behest. And yet sins he more that does or purchases shame or harm to
others wrongfully, or is in counsel and in help to cause others to be
harmed in order to avenge himself. Nevertheless wrath or contempt, that
goes lightly without great will and willingness to harm others, is not
deadly sin.