In modern societies, revenge is normally delegated to the state, which can exact the ultimate punishment of locking people up or even putting them to death. Still, many people prefer to take it into their own hands. Revenge can spill over into vigilante violence. It is a major motivation for terrorists. And it is a causal factor in up to 20 per cent of homicides worldwide. All of which suggests that revenge might in fact be a dish best avoided.

In modern societies, revenge is normally delegated to the state, which can exact the ultimate punishment of locking people up or even putting them to death. Still, many people prefer to take it into their own hands. Revenge can spill over into vigilante violence. It is a major motivation for terrorists. And it is a causal factor in up to 20 per cent of homicides worldwide. All of which suggests that revenge might in fact be a dish best avoided.