Revenge is sweeter than life itself. So think fools.
Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that criticism tends to target the innocent while overlooking the guilty.
Juvenal's quote highlights the paradox of societal censure, where those who are virtuous or innocent (the dove) often face scrutiny and rejection, while those who are malevolent or guilty (the raven) escape condemnation. This reflects a broader commentary on human nature and societal justice, indicating that the moral compass of society sometimes misdirects its focus, leading to unjust treatment of those who are deserving of protection instead of blame.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about ethics in society, one might use this quote to emphasize how often innocent people are unfairly judged.
More from Juvenal
All quotes βPeace visits not the guilty mind.
An incurable itch for scribbling takes possession of many, and grows inveterate in their insane breasts.
Poverty is bitter, but it has no harder pang than that it makes men ridiculous.
All wish to possess knowledge, but few, comparatively speaking, are willing to pay the price.
This is his first punishment, that by the verdict of his own heart no guilty man is acquitted.
Similar quotes
Sometimes the story we're telling the world isn't half as endearing as the one that lives inside us.
Once a man is united to God, how could he not live forever?
People are not wrong in observing Caste. In my view, what is wrong is their religion, which has inculcated this notion of Caste. If this is correct, then obviously the enemy, you must grapple with is not the people who observe Caste, but the Shastras which teach them this religion of Caste.
I am proud of my country. But we need to unite to make a unified India, free of communalism and casteism. We need to build India into a land of equal opportunity for all. We can be a truly great nation if we set our sights high and deliver to the people the fruits of continued growth, prosperity and equal opportunity.
No matter how much care we put into hiding our passions under the appearances of devotion and honor, they can always be seen to peer out through these covers.
From the point of view of the pharmaceutical industry, the AIDS problem has already been solved. After all, we already have a drug which can be sold at the incredible price of $8,000 an annual dose, and which has the added virtue of not diminishing the market by actually curing anyone.