Reflecting a little on the convolutions of the whole human
condition thing, … (imagine what follows here with a faint French accent and a
wisp of smoke from a Gitane. Or
not. Your call.)
And more particularly on the operation of SPITE.
It seems that when we have, once, injured another person, and
realize it -- there is instantly a very powerful impulse to repeat the injury,
the insult, the offense, the assault upon dignity, self-esteem, confidence.
It is as if the spite or malice arises from the
consciousness of our own bad or thoughtless action, rather than the reverse –
despite all logic that would suggest the resentment comes first, then the
action.
And perhaps when we have acted on this spiteful impulse, a
handful of times, it becomes easier to say, “ X must be a bad person, because
the thought of X displeases me. X must
have had it coming.”
“Quelle,” as they say, “dommage.”
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