Two Wrongs

 

Phrasemix explains, “Two wrongs don’t make a right” as “When someone has done something bad to you, trying to get revenge will only make things worse.”

For me this lesson rang true more in my childhood. It seemed only fitting to try to right one wrong with another in my childish mind. Why it only seemed fair. ( We’ll save “fair” for another time.)

Wanting to strike back when you have been hurt is not such an unreasonable reaction. However, in teaching our children about things like “turning the other cheek” it’s important to really think through the consequences of our actions or should I say reactions. 

Although, it may bring a moment of satisfaction to a bad situation, in the long run is it really the right thing to do?

Just because someone else is behaving badly shouldn’t give us permission to return in kind. Being the bigger person in the long run will help to build character in our young children.

As St. Francis encouraged we should “seek to understand.” In doing so we are empowering ourselves to respond more with compassion for someone who might be going through a difficult time.

So if your first response is to react in a negative fashion, remind yourself that you doing something wrong in return will not erase the first wrong action. Sadly, it will probably make things even worse. 

This is a life lesson that needs to be taught at a young age, and reinforced throughout our adult years.