A serious wrong, especially murder or severe harm, must be avenged in kind. It implies a demand for justice or revenge proportional to the offense.
This saying is rooted in traditional notions of justice and vendetta, where honor and family loyalty demanded retribution. It appears in historical epics and modern media, but is also used metaphorically for any severe injustice.
Chinese culture historically emphasized collective honor and the duty to avenge wrongs against one's family or clan. This saying expresses a deep sense of moral balance — that severe harm cannot go unanswered — and reflects the intensity of grievance.
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