Good Reads: An eye for an eye only ends up in making the whole world blind.

 The phrase "An eye for an eye only ends up in making the whole world blind" is often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, though 

it appears he never used these exact words. The idea behind this statement is a critique of the concept of retributive justice, where retaliation or revenge is sought in response to a wrong. Gandhi's version of this saying suggests that such an approach to justice is ultimately destructive and does not solve underlying problems but rather perpetuates a cycle of harm and suffering.

Explanation

The phrase is based on the principle that responding to wrongdoing with more wrongdoing only escalates conflict and perpetuates a cycle of vengeance. Instead of leading to resolution, it often leads to more pain and suffering. This is because when each party seeks to retaliate for wrongs committed against them, the conflict can escalate rather than resolve, leading to an environment of continuous hostility and harm.

Story Example

Imagine a small village where two families, the Rivers and the Hills, have a longstanding feud. It all began when a member of the Rivers family accidentally damaged a piece of property belonging to the Hills family. The Hills family, feeling wronged, retaliates by causing damage to the Rivers' property in return.

This act of retaliation doesn’t resolve the conflict; it only deepens it. The Rivers family, now even more aggrieved, retaliates again, and the cycle continues. Each act of revenge only adds fuel to the fire, leading to escalating damage and increasing resentment on both sides.

Over time, the feud between the Rivers and the Hills escalates beyond property damage. Members of both families begin to feel the impact in their daily lives, leading to physical confrontations and emotional trauma. The village, once a peaceful place, becomes a battleground where the entire community suffers.

In the end, the relentless cycle of revenge leaves both families in a state of ruin, with the original grievance long forgotten amidst the continuous conflict. The entire village becomes a place where anger and hatred dominate, and no one is left unscathed. 

The story illustrates that the "eye for an eye" mentality does not bring about justice or resolution. Instead, it results in collective suffering and destruction, highlighting the wisdom behind seeking resolution through understanding and forgiveness rather than retaliation.