They become consumed by fear, riddled by the worms of nightmares of their own making. Their lives are punctuated by explosions of anger, and as such are immature reminders of childhood. Whether these outbursts are used as a release of tension or frustration, or whether they are used as a weapon, they are still only tools of manipulation. God continues to love all of creation, passionately, unconditionally. If love is the soul of Christian existence, it must be at the heart of every other Christian virtue.
Every virtue is an expression of love.
Richard P. McBrien, Catholicism. Revenge merely sets one on the same level as the one who has wronged you, forgiveness moves you both closer to God. From forgiveness it is a tiny step to accept others as beloved children of God, and to love them as such. Forgiveness is seeing others as loved as equally as we are by God, and as justified, forgiven and reconciled by the blood of Jesus as we are. Forgiveness removes our rights to avenge and to revenge.