a tooth for a tooth
Matching injury principle
A tooth for a tooth is a principle of retributive justice—punishment or retaliation equal to the offense.
From the biblical lex talionis ("an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth"), it describes proportional revenge rather than escalation: He believes in a tooth for a tooth, so he keyed my car after I keyed his.
The phrase often carries a note of primitive or harsh justice.
- eye for an eyePunishment matching the offense
- tit for tatEquivalent retaliation
- justiceFair treatment under law
- biblical lawScripture's divine commandments
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
retribution · just deserts · karmic justice · proportionality · vengeance · quid pro quo · Hammurabi · equity · reciprocity · give and take · punishment · payback · historical justice · accountability · moral codes · law · deterrence · societal values
a tooth for a toothturn the other cheek
Refuse to retaliate
forgiveness · mercy · grace · restorative justice · amnesty
a tooth for a toothletting go
Releasing one's grasp
forgiving and forgetting · rising above · magnanimity · benevolence · gentleness
a tooth for a toothrestorative justice
Conflict resolution through mutual healing
nonviolence · pacifism · ahimsa · redemption · rehabilitation