以直报怨 responding to a slight with justice
- 再进一层说,明恩怨,在原则上是要「以德报德;以直报怨」,并不是做没原则的滥好人或乡愿。
Being clear about love and enmity at another level simply means, "to repay kindness with kindness, and to repay enmity with justice." It does not mean to be lenient with people no matter what.