Whoever Brings Judgment Against a Neighbor Is Punished First

Rabbi Chanan said: whoever hands over judgment against his fellow is himself punished first, as it says, "And Sarai said to Abram, My wrong be upon you" (Genesis 16:5), and it is written, "And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her" (Genesis 23:2). And this applies only when there is a judge on earth [to whom one could have appealed instead]. Rabbi Yitzchak said: woe to the one who cries out more than to the one cried out against. It was likewise taught: both the one who cries out and the one cried out against are included [in punishment], but they hasten to punish the one who cries out more than the one cried out against.