Revenge does not long remain un revenged.
Revenge does not long remain un revenged.
Meaning in plain English
The saying suggests that revenge soon invites revenge in return. It portrays retaliation as liable to continue rather than remain unanswered.
Example
A reader recognises the warning about answering retaliation with retaliation instead of replacing it with a promise that revenge ends.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Un revenged is retained as written; the wording points to further retaliation, while the supplied gloss says revenge ends. A useful interpretation explains that mismatch and considers escalation without predicting an exact chain or giving instructions. Accountability and remedies can be pursued without reproducing the harmful pattern.
When to use it
Use it to explain the cycle image with the source-gloss divergence clear.
Keep in mind
No inevitable retaliatory cycle or exact duration is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 918; PDF page 128
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
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Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
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