Mankind seems to like punishing himself when he thinks he has erred. Because of this, he will naturally want to punish others when they err. And, how we see and treat ourselves is exactly how we will see and treat another. If you think you are more fair to others than you are to yourself, I believe you have a blind spot in your vision. For a man can touch another man's soul only as deeply as he has touched his own.
Retribution is built into the Laws of the Universe.
That is why I said they are sometimes called The Wrath of God. You and I will feel and live through the mistakes we make. There is no reason to lay more punishment and grief upon ourselves. In doing that, we hinder our growth. We are preventing ourselves from turning around and moving on toward the Good.