Is Revenge Really Sweet?

Researchers have found that when people take it upon themselves to exact revenge, it often fails to prevent future harm and may not make the avenger feel better.  While the victim may experience an initial intoxicating rush, they often feel far less satisfied after they take revenge than they imagined they would and find that vengeance may escalate the conflict and lead to an increasingly malicious game of tit for tat.

Some personality types are bent on avenging wrongs and injustice while others, who often believe in karma or a higher power, are less likely to seek vengeance.

Upon reflection, most victims really want and benefit from sincere remorse with a promise of reform and rectification, if possible.

All in all, as this New York Times article reports,  vengeance is rarely sweet or satisfying.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/sunday-review/the-futility-of-vengeance.html