For centuries, the world has been a place where the cunning hide behind the strong. For the most part, the 'warrior king' is gone in Western Civilization, replaced by skulking bureaucrats, conniving courtesans, and deceiving politicians of all stripes who don't dirty their manicured hands but order or impel others to conduct the rough business that ultimately is policy.
In an age where the mere expression of an intent or desire to see harm come to another, no matter how deserving they are, that expression can and will be used against the person making it whenever and however possible. It will be claimed that that is a stated intent to do harm and used to neutralize any possible threat through shunning, ridicule, legal action, or other means.
In such conditions it is wise to keep one's own counsel. When the opportunity arises, causing those who spread misery to have a taste of their own medicine, directly or indirectly can indeed be satisfying, but again, discretion is the greater part of valor.
Thus, we find ourselves speaking softly and carrying our sticks, however limber or stout those may be. Adapt to the times, find ways to express your discontent, even express approval at the idea some ill might come to those who spread ill, but avoid publicly embracing the act, especially in terms which will afford sympathy to those who deserve none.
Like Hamlet's quandry,
Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;
And now I'll do't. And so he goes to heaven;
And so am I revenged. That would be scann'd:
A villain kills my father; and for that,
I, his sole son, do this same villain send
To heaven.
O, this is hire and salary, not revenge.
He took my father grossly, full of bread;
With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May;
And how his audit stands who knows save heaven?
But in our circumstance and course of thought,
'Tis heavy with him: and am I then revenged,
To take him in the purging of his soul,
When he is fit and season'd for his passage?
No!
Up, sword; and know thou a more horrid hent:
When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,
Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed;
At gaming, swearing, or about some act
That has no relish of salvation in't;
Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven,
And that his soul may be as damn'd and black
As hell, whereto it goes.
(Rather than kill his father's murderer while he knelt at prayer and take a chance on sending him to heaven, he stays his hand to wait to catch him deep in sin and send him to hell).
To everything there is a season.
There is a time and place for action.
For now, couch displeasure in terms which will not give the snakes reason to strike.
No, I have no problem in the company of warriors, and I respect all who fight for what I think is right.
There are sheep, great in number. There are wolves, too, but you left out the sheepdogs. The question to answer is one of are you a wolf or a sheepdog?
