Two wrongs don't make a right
Meaning
Committing a bad act in response to another bad act does not justify either action or improve the situation.
Origin
The core idea that retaliation does not rectify an initial wrong is a moral principle found in ancient philosophies and religious texts worldwide. However, the exact phrasing, "Two wrongs don't make a right," crystallized into a widely recognized English proverb during the 19th century. Its earliest documented appearances in print trace back to the late 18th century, often embedded in discussions on justice and moral conduct. It gained popular currency as a concise, irrefutable statement of ethical reasoning, teaching that responding to harm with further harm only perpetuates a cycle of injustice rather than resolving it.
Examples
- After someone stole her bicycle, Emily was tempted to key their car, but her friend reminded her that two wrongs don't make a right.
- Even though he felt wronged by the foul call, the coach knew that screaming at the referee would only escalate the tension, remembering that two wrongs don't make a right.