I was listening recently to a podcast with James Kimmel the author of 'The Science of Revenge'. It was quite interesting and I learned a good deal.

The desire for revenge is often thought of as an emotion. Actually, it is caused by the pain a person feels when they believe they have been aggrieved or harmed in some way.

It could be anything from a simple social slight to serious physical abuse. The desire for revenge is motivated by our felt need to remove this pain. 

When revenge is taken we are rewarded with a strong dose of dopamine, which is short-lived.

This type of behavior can become an addiction for some much like a gambling addiction.

Revenge can be contrasted with forgiveness which has several beneficial results. The pain goes away, the grievance is dropped and we feel good about ourselves.

I've had occasion in the last several years to experience this first hand.

In both cases it involved a woman who I believe wronged me.

In the first case I had seriously contemplated doing something to injure some of the personal property.

Fortunately, my better angel prevailed and instead I did her a kindness, and boy am I glad that I did. I felt very good about myself afterwards.

The next time around I was better prepared and never contemplated revenge in the first place

Revenge like hatred is unhealthy and addictive.

Forgiveness, on the other hand is healthy and habitual.