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two wrongs do not make a right

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Two wrongs do not make a right.

Prov. Someone else may do something bad and not be punished, but that does not mean you are allowed to do bad things. Jill: I'd really like to humiliate Fred, after he made fun of me in front of everyone at lunch. Jane: Now, now, Jill. Two wrongs don't make a right.

See also: make, not, right, two, wrong

two wrongs do not make a right

A second misdeed or mistake does not cancel the first, as in Don't take his ball just because he took yours-two wrongs do not make a right. This proverbial adage sounds ancient but was first recorded in 1783, as Three wrongs will not make one right.

See also: make, not, right, two, wrong