An eye for an eye

"An eye for an eye" is a phrase that I have not heard in a long time, and only comes to mind when I think about pirates or when I read Nietzsche. Nietzsche writes, "throughout the greater part of human history...anger was held in check and modified by the idea that every injury has its equivalent and can actually be paid back, even if only through the pain of the culprit" (63). Today, this philosophy does not exist, and I have proof. The other day, while playing two hand touch football, a friend was pushed after a play. Another friend responded by pushing the the opposing player who pushed my teammate. In this case, the person who pushed last was held responsible for the incident was held responsible and asked to leave. During the moment I wished we still followed the eye for an eye rule, but looking back on my whole football career, I see all the pain I have avoided as a result of modern social values concerning violence and retaliation.