Justice vs. Revenge: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 2, 2024
Justice is the fair and impartial treatment in accordance with moral rightness, whereas revenge is a personal retaliation aimed at harm.
Key Differences
Justice is rooted in fairness and law, seeking to uphold moral and legal principles; revenge, on the other hand, is driven by personal vendettas, often disregarding legal and ethical standards.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
While justice aims for a balanced and proportionate response to wrongdoing, revenge often escalates, leading to excessive or disproportionate actions.
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Jan 02, 2024
Justice is typically administered by an impartial entity such as a court, ensuring objectivity; in contrast, revenge is personal, subjective, and emotionally charged.
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Jan 02, 2024
The goal of justice is to maintain social order and protect rights, whereas revenge focuses on personal satisfaction and can disrupt societal harmony.
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Jan 02, 2024
Justice seeks to rehabilitate or punish to prevent future harm, whereas revenge is more concerned with retaliating for past actions without a focus on future consequences.
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Jan 02, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Method
Administered through legal systems
Personal, outside legal frameworks
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Outcome
Social order, protection of rights
Personal satisfaction, potential disorder
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Proportionality
Proportional to the wrongdoing
Often excessive or disproportionate
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Jan 02, 2024
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Justice and Revenge Definitions
Justice
Ensuring everyone is treated equally.
The judge's decision reflected justice, treating all parties fairly.
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Dec 18, 2023
Justice
Adherence to the law.
The jury's verdict upheld justice in the courtroom.
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Dec 18, 2023
Revenge
Taking action to retaliate for past grievances.
His revenge involved undermining his adversary's reputation.
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Dec 18, 2023
Justice
Just and fair treatment in accordance with needs and requirements.
Distributing resources based on need is a form of social justice.
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Dec 18, 2023
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Justice
Moral correctness in action or attitude.
His fight for civil rights was an act of justice.
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Revenge
(Archaic) To seek or take vengeance for (oneself or another person); avenge.
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Justice
Free from bias or favoritism.
The umpire's justice ensured a fair game.
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Revenge
The act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation
Took revenge on her tormentors.
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Dec 13, 2023
Justice
The quality of being just; fairness
In the interest of justice, we should treat everyone the same.
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Revenge
A desire for revenge; spite or vindictiveness
He did it out of revenge.
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Revenge
An opportunity to retaliate, as by a return sports match after a defeat
After the loss, he demanded that he be given his revenge.
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Justice
Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness
Argued for the justice of his cause.
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Revenge
Something done in retaliation, especially a defeat of a rival who has been victorious.
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Justice
The attainment of what is just, especially that which is fair, moral, right, merited, or in accordance with law
My client has not received justice in this hearing.
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Dec 13, 2023
Revenge
Any form of personal, retaliatory action against an individual, institution, or group for some alleged or perceived harm or injustice.
Indifference is the sweetest revenge.
When I left my wife, she tried to set fire to the house in revenge.
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Dec 13, 2023
Justice
(Law) The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law
We seek justice in this matter from the court.
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Justice
The administration, system, methods, or procedures of law
A conspiracy to obstruct justice.
A miscarriage of justice.
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Revenge
(transitive) To take revenge for (a particular harmful action) or on behalf of (its victim); to avenge.
Arsenal revenged their loss to Manchester United last time with a 5–0 drubbing this time.
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Dec 13, 2023
Justice
Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason
The overcharged customer was angry, and with justice.
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Justice
Abbr. J.(Law) A judge on the highest court of a government, such as a judge on the US Supreme Court.
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Justice
The state or characteristic of being just or fair.
The justice of a description
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Dec 13, 2023
Revenge
To inflict harm in return for, as an injury, insult, etc.; to exact satisfaction for, under a sense of injury; to avenge; - followed either by the wrong received, or by the person or thing wronged, as the object, or by the reciprocal pronoun as direct object, and a preposition before the wrong done or the wrongdoer.
To revenge the death of our fathers.
The gods are just, and will revenge our cause.
Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius.
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Justice
The ideal of fairness, impartiality, etc., especially with regard to the punishment of wrongdoing.
Justice was served.
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Revenge
To inflict injury for, in a spiteful, wrong, or malignant spirit; to wreak vengeance for maliciously.
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Justice
Judgment and punishment of a party who has allegedly wronged another.
To demand justice
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Justice
The civil power dealing with law.
Ministry of Justice
The justice system
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Revenge
The act of revenging; vengeance; retaliation; a returning of evil for evil.
Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is even with his enemy; but in passing it over he is superior.
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Justice
A title given to judges of certain courts; capitalized when placed before a name.
Mr. Justice Krever presides over the appellate court
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Revenge
The disposition to revenge; a malignant wishing of evil to one who has done us an injury.
Revenge now goesTo lay a complot to betray thy foes.
The indulgence of revenge tends to make men more savage and cruel.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Justice
The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral obligations; practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness.
Justice and judgment are the haditation of thy throne.
The king-becoming graces,As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, . . . I have no relish of them.
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Dec 13, 2023
Revenge
Take revenge for a perceived wrong;
He wants to avenge the murder of his brother
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Dec 13, 2023
Justice
Conformity to truth and reality in expressing opinions and in conduct; fair representation of facts respecting merit or demerit; honesty; fidelity; impartiality; as, the justice of a description or of a judgment; historical justice.
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Dec 13, 2023
Revenge
Inflicting harm in return for a wrong.
Her plot for revenge targeted those who wronged her.
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Dec 18, 2023
Justice
The rendering to every one his due or right; just treatment; requital of desert; merited reward or punishment; that which is due to one's conduct or motives.
This even-handed justiceCommends the ingredients of our poisoned chaliceTo our own lips.
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Dec 13, 2023
Revenge
Punishment inflicted in retaliation.
He took revenge on his rivals to settle old scores.
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Dec 18, 2023
Justice
Agreeableness to right; equity; justness; as, the justice of a claim.
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Dec 13, 2023
Revenge
Returning harm for harm.
Seeking revenge, she sabotaged her colleague's project.
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Dec 18, 2023
Justice
A person duly commissioned to hold courts, or to try and decide controversies and administer justice.
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Dec 13, 2023
Justice
The administration of law; the act of determining rights and assigning rewards or punishments;
Justice deferred is justice denied
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Justice
A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
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Justice
The United States federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws (including the enforcement of all civil rights legislation); created in 1870
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Dec 13, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can revenge be justified?
While some may feel justified, revenge typically contradicts legal and ethical principles.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
How is justice different from revenge in terms of emotion?
Justice is objective and impartial, whereas revenge is driven by personal emotions.
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Jan 02, 2024
Does revenge always lead to satisfaction?
Not necessarily; it can often lead to further conflict and dissatisfaction.
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Jan 02, 2024
Is revenge a natural human response?
It can be, but societal norms and laws usually discourage it.
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Jan 02, 2024
Can revenge be legal?
Typically no, as it operates outside of legal frameworks and ethical norms.
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Jan 02, 2024
What role do courts play in justice?
Courts administer justice by applying laws fairly and impartially.
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Jan 02, 2024
Is seeking revenge ever a good strategy?
It's generally not advisable as it can escalate conflicts.
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Jan 02, 2024
Can justice lead to social change?
Yes, by addressing systemic issues and promoting fairness.
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Jan 02, 2024
What is the primary goal of justice?
To maintain fairness and uphold legal and moral standards.
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Jan 02, 2024
Is justice always legal?
Ideally, yes, as it should align with the law and ethical standards.
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Jan 02, 2024
What's the difference between revenge and self-defense?
Self-defense is immediate protection from harm, while revenge is retaliatory.
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Jan 02, 2024
Can justice be subjective?
While it strives for objectivity, perceptions of justice can vary.
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Jan 02, 2024
Is justice always swift?
Not always; it can be delayed due to various factors like legal processes.
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Jan 02, 2024
How does justice contribute to society?
It helps maintain order and protects individuals' rights.
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Jan 02, 2024
Does revenge affect mental health?
It can, often leading to prolonged negative emotions and stress.
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Jan 02, 2024
How does society view justice?
Generally positively, as a necessary component of a civilized society.
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Jan 02, 2024
Are there cultural differences in views of revenge?
Yes, cultural norms can influence perceptions of revenge.
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Jan 02, 2024
What are the consequences of revenge?
It can lead to ongoing feuds and personal or legal repercussions.
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Jan 02, 2024
Why do people seek revenge?
Often due to anger, hurt, or a desire for retribution.
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Jan 02, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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