An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 
Meaning and origin
The proverb "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." means that retribution should be equal to the harm or injury that was done. This concept is often associated with the principle of lex talionis, or "law of retaliation," which is found in various ancient legal codes.
The origin of this proverb can be traced back to the Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest known written legal codes, dating back to ancient Mesopotamia around 1754 BC. The principle of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" was also later incorporated into the laws of ancient Israel as found in the Hebrew Bible.
The concept has since been referenced in various cultures and religions, including in the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament of the Bible. It has become a widely recognized principle of justice and is often cited in discussions about retribution and punishment.
Proverbs on a similar topic
- Do as you would be done by.
- Fight fire with fire.
- Bad news travels fast.
- He who digs a pit for others falls in himself.
- When Greek meets Greek then comes the tug of war.
- As the call, so the echo.
- He's met his match.
- Better a lean peace than a fat victory.
- Better an open enemy than a false friend.
- Two of a trade never agree.
- Hard words break no bones.
- God stays long, but strikes at last.
- Eaten bread is soon forgotten.
- Two cats and a mouse, two wives in one house, two dogs and a bone, never agree in one.
- Two dogs strive for a bone, and a third runs away with it.
- A constant guest is never welcome.
- Words hurt more than swords.
- The tongue is not steel yet it cuts.
- He who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind.
- Let an ill man lie in thy straw, and he looks to be thy heir.
- Better an egg in peace than an ox in war.
- He that all men will please shall never find ease.
- Tongue breaks bone, and herself has none.
- An unbidden guest knows not where to sit.
- Quarrelling dogs come halting home.
- Call me cousin but cozen me not.
- Breed up a crow and he will tear out your eyes.
- He who will stop every man's mouth must have a great deal of meal.
- The mad dog bites his master.
- The Wise head gives in.
Related proverbs
Similar proverbs in another language
Latin
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Oculum pro oculo, dentem pro dente.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
French
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Oeil pour oeil, dent pour dent.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
German
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Auge um Auge, Zahn um Zahn.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Czech
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Oko za oko, zub za zub.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
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Hrdlo za hrdlo.
Throat to throat.