The prescription to love your enemy and to requite 
evil with good is sometimes thought of as an impractical or 
impossible ethic, able to be practiced only by a few exceptional souls. 
But, in fact, this doctrine is widely taught in all religions as a fundamental 
principle for pursuing relationships with others. 
 
The person who insists upon vengeance or retribution is 
not necessarily committing a crime, but neither will his act of revenge be 
helpful to spiritual advancement. Revenge, which requites evil with evil, only 
multiplies evil in the world, while love, by in which one strives to overcome 
evil with good, spreads goodness in the world.

True love is unconditional and impartial--thus the 
metaphor of the sun that shines down on all life. It is tested and proven by 
encounters with those who are difficult to love. Where true love prevails, there 
no enemies are found.
 
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------

"He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed 
me!" In those who harbor such thoughts hatred is not appeased.
 
"He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me!" 
In those who do not harbor such thoughts hatred is appeased.
 
Hatreds never cease through hatred in this world; through 
love alone they cease. This is an eternal law. 

1.Buddhism. Dhammapada 3-5

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your 
neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for 
those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in 
heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on 
the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have 
you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your 
brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the 
same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 

 
2.Christianity. Matthew 5.43-48
 
My Lord! Others have fallen back in showing compassion to 
their benefactors as you have shown compassion even to your malefactors. All 
this is unparalleled. 

3.Jainism. Vitaragastava 14.5
 
Of the adage, Only a good man knows how to like people, 
knows how to dislike them, Confucius said, "He whose heart is in the smallest 
degree set upon Goodness will dislike no one." 

4.Confucianism. Analects 4.3-4
 
I should be like the sun, shining universally on all 
without seeking thanks or reward, able to take care of all sentient beings even 
if they are bad, never giving up on my vows on this account, not abandoning all 
sentient beings because one sentient being is evil. 

5.Buddhism. Garland Sutra 23
 
What kind of love is this that to another can shift? Says 
Nanak, True lovers are those who are forever absorbed in the Beloved. Whoever 
discriminates between treatment held good or bad, Is not a true lover--he rather 
is caught in calculations. 

6.Sikhism. Adi Granth, Asa-ki-Var, M.2, p. 
474
 
The sage has no fixed [personal] ideas.
He regards the 
people's ideas as his own.
I treat those who are good with goodness,
And I 
also treat those who are not good with goodness.
Thus goodness is 
attained.
 
I am honest with those who are honest,
And I am also 
honest with those who are dishonest.
Thus honesty is attained. 

7.Taoism. Tao Te Ching 49

It may be that God will ordain love between you and 
those whom you hold as enemies. For God has power over all things; and God is 
Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. 
 
8.Islam. Qur'an 60.7
 
Aid an enemy before you aid a friend, to subdue hatred. 


9.Judaism. Tosefta, Baba Metzia 
2.26
 
Do good to him who has done you an injury. 

10.Taoism. Tao Te Ching 63
 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 


11.Christianity. Romans 12.21
 
God said, "Resemble Me; just as I repay good for evil so 
do you also repay good for evil." 

12.Judaism. Exodus Rabbah 26.2
 
Conquer anger by love. Conquer evil by good. Conquer the 
stingy by giving. Conquer the liar by truth. 

13.Buddhism. Dhammapada 223
 
Man should subvert anger by forgiveness, subdue pride by 
modesty, overcome hypocrisy with simplicity, and greed by contentment. 


14.Jainism. Samanasuttam 136
 
May generosity triumph over niggardliness,
May love 
triumph over contempt,
May the true-spoken word triumph over the false-spoken 
word,
May truth triumph over falsehood. 

15.Zoroastrianism. Yasna 60.5
 
The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the 
evil deed with one which is better, then lo!, he between whom and you there was 
enmity shall become as though he were a bosom friend.
 
But none is granted it save those who are steadfast, and 
none is granted it save a person of great good fortune. 

16.Islam. Qur'an 41.34-35

A superior being does not render evil for evil; this 
is a maxim one should observe; the ornament of virtuous persons is their 
conduct. One should never harm the wicked or the good or even criminals meriting 
death. A noble soul will ever exercise compassion even towards those who enjoy 
injuring others or those of cruel deeds when they are actually committing 
them--for who is without fault? 
 
17.Hinduism. Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda 
115
 
The reason why God does not punish even though He may see 
an enemy and have the urge to kill him and get revenge, is that He is thinking 
of the enemy's parents, wife and children who all love. Knowing all too well 
their unparalleled love toward that person, God cannot strike him with His iron 
rod. When you really understand such a heart of God, could you take revenge on 
your enemy? When you know all these things, you would even go and help that 
person. In this manner one comes closer to the Great Way of heavenly Principle, 
that Great Way which tries to embrace everything centering on love. When this 
happens earth will shake and induce even God to shed tears. "You truly resemble 
me. How happy I am!" He will ex- claim. God always looks at things in that 
perspective. This is how we should understand the teaching to love one's enemy. 
The source of such a power to love your enemy is neither knowledge, nor money, 
nor earthly power. It is only true love. 

18.Unification Church. Sun Myung Moon, 
3-30-90
 
Someone said, "What do you say concerning the principle 
that injury should be recompensed with kindness?" The Master said, "With what 
will you then recompense kindness? Recompense injury with justice, and 
recompense kindness with kindness." 

19.Confucianism. Analects 14.36
 
According to Anas ibn Malik, the Prophet said, "Help your 
brother whether he is oppressor or oppressed."
 
According to Anas, after the Messenger of God said, "Help 
your brother whether he is oppressor or oppressed," Anas replied to him, "O 
Messenger of God, a man who is oppressed I am ready to help, but how does one 
help an oppressor?" "By hindering him doing wrong," he said. 

20.Islam. Hadith of Bukhari 



By Oconour





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