What is the difference between justice and revenge?

[CHUDmac]

I don't get your question....

Justice is a justifiable reaction, meaning fair and reasonable. (Calling 911 and having a thief arrested is justice)

Revenge is purposely inflicting some sort of harm as a reaction. (Taking a gun and shooting a thief is revenge)

Taking a gun and shooting a thief could also be self-defense, such as outlined in the Castle Doctrine.

Justice is thought of as positive and law-abiding. The legal system doing its job: the police catch someone, the courts try them, the verdict is carried out.
Revenge is thought of more as a negative thing. A selfish act carried out to have your own needs fulfilled for, in your own eyes, having been wronged. Revenge is where we take the place of the legal system.

[austinite]

Taking a gun and shooting a thief could also be self-defense, such as outlined in the Castle Doctrine.

Justice is thought of as positive and law-abiding. The legal system doing its job: the police catch someone, the courts try them, the verdict is carried out.
Revenge is thought of more as a negative thing. A selfish act carried out to have your own needs fulfilled for, in your own eyes, having been wronged. Revenge is where we take the place of the legal system.

No it's not. That's not what I said and that is not my example.

Anyway...

There are a billion scenarios. The point is, what we deem acceptable may not be related to its definition. So if I shoot someone who killed my daughter, to me that is justice. But by definition, that is revenge. How you feel about your own reaction does NOT define the word. It defines your personal feelings.