If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Ver. 18. As much as lieth in you] Let it not stick on your part. Give not offence carelessly, take not offence causelessly. See Trapp on " Mat 5:9 " It is the first office of justice, saith Cicero, to hurt nobody, unless first provoked by injury. But how true and trim a sentence, saith Lactantius, hath Cicero here marred by adding the last, "unless!" Mahomet's laws run thus: Avenge yourselves of your enemies; rather do wrong than take wrong; kill the infidels, &c. Profess love to thine enemy, saith Machiavel; and if he fall into the water up to the knees, give him thine hand to help him out; if up to the waist, help him likewise; but if up to the chin, then lay thine hand upon his head and duck him under the water, and never suffer him to rise again. But we "have not so learned Christ." Seneca could say, Immane verbum est ultio, Revenge is a bloody word; and Qui ulciscitur excusatius peccat, He is somewhat excused (but not altogether) from doing evil, that seeketh revenge.