The phrase "an eye for an eye" is often associated with revenge or retaliation. However, when trying to soften the impact of this phrase, people have come up with a variety of synonyms. Some of these include "tit for tat," "reciprocal justice," or "retributive justice." Others suggest using phrases like "just desserts" or "what goes around comes around." Still, others prefer to focus on a more positive message, using phrases such as "treat others how you would like to be treated" or "forgive and forget." While each of these phrases may not have the same impact as "an eye for an eye," they certainly help to convey a similar message in a different way.