Note 505 — Chapter IV
Henry P. (Henry Pomeroy) Horton translation
In a sociological work like ours we need not consider the psychology of vengeance.505 For our subject it is sufficient to show that the feeling is innate in everyone, although in different degrees. As soon as one person injures another, whether bodily, or in his interests, or his honor, the desire to retaliate in one way or another immediately appears. If this desire transforms itself into act, this act calls forth a stronger reaction on the part of the opposing party, etc. It is this that is called the instinct of vengeance.506