Heh heh, notice I spelled it right this time!

I noticed in another thread the expression "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" made reference to, but to illustrate vengance: You pluck out an eye, and get your own plucked out.

BUT, I heard that the real meaning of that expression is quite different. As I understand it, it comes from Jewish law, and illustrates the "let the punishment fit the crime" idea. If someone steals a loaf of bread, it would be excessive punishment to put him to death. That wouldn't be an eye for an eye, it wouldn't be equal.

Any others you know of? Margo