Adam and David talk about vengeance in this week’s episode. Is it lawful? Is it a special virtue? And the 4 sins that cry to Heaven for Vengeance
This episode on vengeance is sponsored by Covenant Eyes. Use promo code “catholicman” to get a 30-day free trial in protecting you and your family from the dangers of the internet.
Do you benefit from our show? Want to help see it continue to grow? Would you like to see more guests in studio? If so, please consider joining us on Patreon. As little as $4/mo makes a big difference. Many hands make light work.

About our drink:
Thank you to Mr. Taylor Barranco for the drink. Fireside Whiskey is a 4 year aged Straight Bourbon that is a nice bourbon to have in your cabinet. It is dangerously smooth but still maintains all of the robust flavor gained from aging for more than 4 years in brand new white oak barrels. A nice end of summer dram.
About the gear:
A miter saw (also known as a “mitre” outside of the United States) is a saw used to make accurate crosscuts and miters in a workpiece by pulling a large backsaw or a mounted circular saw blade down onto a board in a quick motion. Miter saws are commonly referred to as drop saws and abrasive cut off saws are referred to as a chop saw.
Find out more here.
About our topic:
WHETHER VENGEANCE IS LAWFUL?
 I answer that, Vengeance consists in the infliction of a penal evil on one who has sinned. Accordingly, in the matter of vengeance, we must consider the mind of the avenger. For if his intention is directed chiefly to the evil of the person on whom he takes vengeance, and rests there, then his vengeance is altogether unlawful: because to take pleasure in another’s evil belongs to hatred, which is contrary to the charity whereby we are bound to love all men. Nor is it an excuse that he intends the evil of one who has unjustly inflicted evil on him, as neither is a man excused for hating one that hates him: for a man may not sin against another just because the latter has already sinned against him, since this is to be overcome by evil, which was forbidden by the Apostle, who says (Rom. [12:21]): Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good.
If, however, the avenger’s intention be directed chiefly to some good, to be obtained by means of the punishment of the person who has sinned (for instance that the sinner may amend, or at least that he may be restrained and others be not disturbed, that justice may be upheld, and God honoured), then vengeance may be lawful, provided other due circumstances be observed. 
WHETHER VENGEANCE IS A SPECIAL VIRTUE?
I answer that, As the Philosopher states (Ethic. ii. 1), aptitude to virtue is in us by nature, but the complement of virtue is in us through habituation or some other cause. Hence it is evident that virtues perfect us so that we follow in due manner our natural inclinations, which belong to the natural right. Wherefore to every definite natural inclination there corresponds a special virtue. Now there is a special inclination of nature to remove harm,