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Wanting Revenge is Healthy
“A thought-murder a day keeps the doctor away.” Theodore Reik, Listening with the Third Ear.
Webster’s Dictionary defines revenge as: “to avenge (oneself or another) usually by retaliating in kind or degree.”
Revenge is as old as time. Ancient myths and literature abound with tales of villains and heroes and retribution. Some of our favorite movies are the ones where the hero exacts his own personal justice on the evildoer that wronged them. As a society, we view those movies that do not allow the main character to get their vengeance as anti-climactic and disappointing.
Revenge is an emotion that is hardwired within our DNA. It is one of the deepest instincts we have. Who hasn’t said, “Karma is a bitch.” or “I can’t wait until he gets his.” Revenge is considered to have a biological, evolutionary, and instinctive basis in that its roots stem from your basic animal fighting instincts.
Despite the biological components of revenge, however, you will often be met with pushback when the desire for revenge is discussed.
Religion outright forbids revenge and we hear about it in Biblical verses like, “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord,” which is intended to discourage us from taking matters into our own hands. Therapists all seem to agree that vengeance is unhealthy because it traps you in a vicious…
