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by jin jang on September 5th, 2007

jin jang

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Where did the proverb,"an eye for an eye "come from?I find it immoral ,offensive ,and inane.

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  • by Tom on September 5th, 2007

    Tom

    The proverb 'an eye for an eye' stems from a passage in Exodus of the Old Testament in the Bible (also of the Torah and Tanahk):

    "If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

    When a slave-owner strikes the eye of a male or female slave, destroying it, the owner shall let the slave go, a free person, to compensate for the eye. If the owner knocks out a tooth of a male or female slave, the slave shall be let go, a free person, to compensate for the tooth."

    However, I'm sure the sentiment of retribution extended long before that was written. It seems a common theme in human existence that justice is translated into practical terms as revenge. I also believe that 'retributive justice' is immoral as the state or punishing body effectively commits the crime/atrocity that the individual did and I don't see how that can ever be acceptable.

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    • Thanks for the information.I see with the explanation of the slaves,that the meaning is now taken out of context and is now used as an excuse for never ending war and retribution.It is much different than the turn the other cheek motto.

      jin jang

      by jin jang on September 5th, 2007

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