Reply #17: "an eye for an eye" [View All]

[Design8edGrouch]

Actually "an eye for an eye" represented the of epitome liberal progressiveness for its day. In an age that the one harmed could escalate the situation many times over the original offense--It meant that retribution could not be exacted in greater degree than an eye for an eye. Say one man caused the loss of sight in another person's eye. That person could no longer demand that the first man lose his sight in both eyes as well as the eyes of his son. An "eye for an eye" went even further. Punishment could not be enforced by the individual but only by the community and with the exception of murder the offender could repay the debt by monetary means.