Revenge vs. Justice — What's the Difference?

Revenge is defined as the act of committing a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. Francis Bacon described revenge as a kind of "wild justice" that "does...

Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspectives, including the concepts of moral correctness based on ethics, rationality, law, religion, equity and fairness. Consequently, the application of justice differs in every culture.

To inflict punishment in return for (injury or insult).

The quality of being just; fairness

(Archaic) To seek or take vengeance for (oneself or another person); avenge.

The principle of moral rightness; decency.

The act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation

Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness

A desire for revenge; spite or vindictiveness

The attainment of what is just, especially that which is fair, moral, right, merited, or in accordance with law

An opportunity to retaliate, as by a return sports match after a defeat

(Law) The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law

Something done in retaliation, especially a defeat of a rival who has been victorious.

The administration, system, methods, or procedures of law

Any form of personal, retaliatory action against an individual, institution, or group for some alleged or perceived harm or injustice.

Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason

A win by a previous loser.

Abbr. J.(Law) A judge on the highest court of a government, such as a judge on the US Supreme Court.

(transitive) To take revenge for (a particular harmful action) or on behalf of (its victim); to avenge.

The state or characteristic of being just or fair.

To take one's revenge (on or upon someone).

The ideal of fairness, impartiality, etc., especially with regard to the punishment of wrongdoing.

To take vengeance; to revenge itself.

Judgment and punishment of a party who has allegedly wronged another.

To inflict harm in return for, as an injury, insult, etc.; to exact satisfaction for, under a sense of injury; to avenge; - followed either by the wrong received, or by the person or thing wronged, as the object, or by the reciprocal pronoun as direct object, and a preposition before the wrong done or the wrongdoer.

The civil power dealing with law.

To inflict injury for, in a spiteful, wrong, or malignant spirit; to wreak vengeance for maliciously.

A title given to judges of certain courts; capitalized when placed before a name.

To take vengeance; - with

Correctness, conforming to reality or rules.

The act of revenging; vengeance; retaliation; a returning of evil for evil.

The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral obligations; practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness.

The disposition to revenge; a malignant wishing of evil to one who has done us an injury.

Conformity to truth and reality in expressing opinions and in conduct; fair representation of facts respecting merit or demerit; honesty; fidelity; impartiality; as, the justice of a description or of a judgment; historical justice.

Action taken in return for an injury or offense

The rendering to every one his due or right; just treatment; requital of desert; merited reward or punishment; that which is due to one's conduct or motives.

Take revenge for a perceived wrong;

Agreeableness to right; equity; justness; as, the justice of a claim.

A person duly commissioned to hold courts, or to try and decide controversies and administer justice.

To administer justice to.

The quality of being just or fair

The administration of law; the act of determining rights and assigning rewards or punishments;

A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice

The United States federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws (including the enforcement of all civil rights legislation); created in 1870