An eye for an eye

An eye for an eye leaves the entire world blind.

This is a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The old law about "an eye for an eye" leaves everybody blind."

The quote refers to an Old Testament reference from Exodus 21:22-25 regarding the legal implication for violence against fellow man. The passage is contextually surrounded by examples of proper consequences for men who mistreat women, children and servants. Below is the quote from the New King James translation.

"22 If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman's husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, 24eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Quote thanks to the Bible Gateway, http://bible.gospelcom.net/