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To take revenge halfheartedly is to court disaster; either condemn or crown your hatred.
Pierre Corneille
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Revenge should be pursued with conviction; otherwise, it leads to failure.

This quote by Pierre Corneille suggests that when it comes to seeking revenge, one must fully commit to their intentions. A lukewarm approach to revenge can result in unintended consequences, leading either to regret or an escalation of hatred. Thus, one should either fully embrace their feelings or let them go rather than act indifferently.

Themes

RevengeHatredCommitmentConsequencesIntention

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech about conflict resolution, one might reference this quote to emphasize the importance of decisive action.

More from Pierre Corneille

I agree to, or rather aspire to, my doom.
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True, I am young, but for souls nobly born valor doesn't await the passing of years.
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When the patient loves his disease, how unwilling he is to allow a remedy to be applied.
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I can be forced to live without happiness, but I will never consent to live without honor.
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When there is no peril in the fight there is no glory in the triumph.
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Ambition, having reached the summit, longs to descend.
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