International Journal of Social and Behavioural Sciences Vol. 1 (8), pp. 159-161 August 2013 ISSN 2327-719X ©2013 Academe Research Journals

Review

The worst vengeance

Papaloucas C. D.¹, Kalamatianou E.², Kapsimalakou C.³ and Kouloulias V.⁴*

¹Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.

²University of Peloponisos, Greece

³Byzantine Philosophy, University of Athens, Greece.

⁴Medical School, University of Athens, Greece.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: vkouloul@ece.ntua.gr .

Accepted 6 August, 2013

Abstract 

In classical philosophy as well as patristic thought, the human passions presented a moral but inevitably also an ontological, or else physiological, dilemma. The dynamic of human freedom, the drama of human, is precisely the right orientation of the innate human affections. Benefiting our enemy is the ‘worst vengeance’ we can give him; this is an old story that remains contemporary and beneficial for either our soul or our spiritual life in the ethical mode of being. We analysed the potential role of benefiting the enemy though from the Christian point of view. Throughout historical references, either clearly or indirectly, this study also attempted to formulate evaluations as to the depth of philosophical and theological thought. The strength of this work may be epitomized in the following remark: that love, through the actual forgiveness, is the supreme virtue in which a person finds the true meaning of his existence.

Key words: Offence, benefit, enemy, vengeance, forgive.