Jean GERSON, Oeuvres complètes.

Introduction, textes et notes par Monseigneur Glorieux, Paris, 1968-1973. Translation (c) Jeay and Garay.

T. 7, p. 902.

Who do you think you are, wanting to take revenge for everything? Oh poor, miserable creature, what status do you think to achieve when you are completely lacking in patience, as if you were already equal to God or to the elect who are saved. Still worse, what authority do you confer on yourself, when you yourself assume the power to revenge, a power that God, the supreme judge, keeps for Himself. God says: "Vengence is mine and I shall repay". Consider the example of schoolchildren who, when their companions beat them, turn their right into a wrong and take their own revenge without consulting their master. You should submit to God as you want your child to submit to his master. Consider also the example of the holy father who said that God was not necessary, since human beings want to take revenge for everything.

Oh foolish human impatience! If you want to take revenge for everything, avenge yourself against cold or heat when they harm you. Or against the fleas in summer, which do not let you sleep in your bed. Look at this shamefulness! A man keeps his anger against another, and he wants God to be good, lenient, and merciful to him although he should know that his human impatience will deserve a harsh sentence: if we do not forgive, God will never forgive us. If you do not want to forgive, either from compassion for your fellow men, your relatives or your brother, or from your love of God, Father of us all, who commands it, at least fear His harsh sentence, and His vengence because He will do to you what you will do to others. If you forgive, you will be forgiven; if not, you will be condemned. It is worthless to claim that you did not offend God, and therefore are not concerned about forgiveness or remission. Whoever would say so would be a liar and he would foolishly deceive himself. Since you need to be forgiven, the best way to get it is through forgiveness: and you will obtain from the Supreme Judge the letters of pardon telling you that you will be forgiven. There is no more valuable assurance, because those come from our own good.

Oh what strength of conscience has the one who will say to God: "My Lord, I have forgiven in order to accomplish your commandment. I invoke your promise: forgive me also." On the contrary, how would you be daring enough to raise your eyes toward God and ask his forgiveness if you did not want to forgive your fellow man.

[...]

However, you say that the damage against you is too outrageous, and that you cannot forgive, and that you would be laughed at as if you were helpless and a beggar . To that, I answer that you will benefit greatly if you give your revenge to God. And that you should not dread the silly words of society gossip. If you love to praise God, he will know well how to protect, honor, and reward you: He will forgive you much more than you are able to forgive others.