Definition of "retribution"

Whereas retribution focuses on the offender's wrong, retaliation focuses on the impulse of the victim (or of those who sympathize with him) to strike back at the offender.

1983, Richard A. Posner, The economics of justice, m p.208

1. Revenge is for an injury; retribution is for a wrong.2. Retribution sets an internal limit to the amount of the punishment according to the seriousness of the wrong; revenge need not.3. Revenge is personal; the agent of retribution need have no special or personal tie to the victim of the wrong for which he exacts retribution.4. Revenge involves a particular emotional tone, pleasure in the suffering of another, while retribution need involve no emotional tone.

1999, Barbara Hanawalt, Medieval crime and social control, page 73