Here in the office there was the announcement that a certain person in the central office--someone who used to do the payroll stuff (with difficulty)--is retiring, last day tomorrow.

Immediately the "gather round and trash talk the victim" routine began. Until someone went "shush" and remarked that I would disapprove of unprofessional talk. The comments then shifted to mention that the retiree had had difficulty with the position and that everyone hoped that retirement would be enjoyable.

Earlier I had reminded the instigator--she who was pronouncing the "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" revenge on miscreants--that the Sermon on the Mount enjoined followers to do good to them who did harm. Silence ensued.

Maybe I'm making a difference. I don't care if they label me a goody-goody or a pollyanna; I cannot condone reprisal or revenge. It's bad enough that we do harm others sometimes. It does not bear justification, enshrinement, as well.