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.
报复时,一个人不过与敌人处于同一层次;宽恕时,他便高于敌人,因为赦免是王者的气度。
— Francis Bacon · Essays (1625) · Of Revenge —
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.
报复时,一个人不过与敌人处于同一层次;宽恕时,他便高于敌人,因为赦免是王者的气度。