Editing Eye for an eye (section)

==Definition and methods==
The term ''lex talionis'' does not always refer to literal eye-for-an-eye codes of justice (see [[mirror punishment]]), but rather applies to the broader class of legal systems that formulate penalties for specific crimes, which are thought to be fitting in their severity. Some propose that this was at least in part intended to prevent excessive punishment at the hands of either an avenging private party, or the state.<ref>{{cite book | first1 = Douglas A | last1 = Knight | first2 = Amy-Jill | last2 = Levine | year = 2011 | title = The Meaning of the Bible | publisher = Harper Collins | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-06-112175-3 | page = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780061121753/page/124 124] | url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780061121753 }}</ref> The most common expression of lex talionis is "an eye for an eye", but other interpretations have been given as well.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Meese III |first1=Edwin |last2=Larkin, Jr. |first2=Paul J. |year=2013 |title=Reconsidering the Mistake of Law Defense |url=https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7436&context=jclc |journal=Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology |volume=102 |issue=3}}</ref> Legal codes following the principle of ''lex talionis'' have one thing in common -  prescribed 'fitting' counter punishment for a [[felony]]. The simplest example is the "eye for an eye" principle. In that case, the rule was that punishment must be exactly equal to the crime.