Essays (Francis Bacon)

"Some, when they take revenge, are desirous, the party should know, whence it cometh. This is the more generous. For the delight seemeth to be, not so much in doing the hurt, as in making the party repent."

"But base and crafty cowards, are like the arrow that flieth in the dark."

"This is certain, that a man that studieth revenge, keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal, and do well."

"Vindictive persons live the life of witches; who, as they are mischievous, so end they infortunate..."

"Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior; for it is a prince's part to pardon."

"I do now publish my Essays, which, of all my other works, have been most current; for that, as it seems, they come home to men's business and bosoms. I have enlarged them both in number and weight; so that they are indeed a new work."