There are a few dimensions to cruelty but I'll just ask about one of them here. This is not about being cruel for cruel's sake. I think it's probably the more universal, or at least understandable, aspect of the human capacity for cruelty: revenge for betrayal.
We've often heard it said that seeking revenge is never the solution, as two wrongs don't make a right; that whatever injury you suffered will never be undone by indulging in retaliation; that no matter how justified you are in wanting to return the malice for the malice that was was inflicted upon you, your wrath can only serve to make things worse; and that old proverb: “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”
But then there is this:
"For those regarded as warriors, when engaged in combat the vanquishing of thine enemy can be the warrior's only concern. Suppress all human emotion and compassion. Kill whoever stands in thy way, even if that be Lord God, or Buddha himself. This truth lies at the heart of the art of combat." ~ Hattori Hanzo.
I have sought revenge at times in my life on those who have betrayed me. Nothing murderous of course, no broken bones or lost limbs. Sometimes it amounted to little more than just being recalcitrant . But upon success I would always rejoice. And nothing so trivial as a momentary gloat, nothing so petty. It would instead be a lasting euphoria. Like being born. It was suddenly being relevant. Like drapes suddenly pulled open to let in an abundance of sunshine. Imagine the look of surprise on a person's face when they distractedly think they're swatting a fly away from their face & suddenly realize it's actually a hornet. Fully visible. You suddenly exist.
In my experience, sometimes you rescue yourself from your own resentment not by appealing to a person's capacity for kindness but by triggering their utter distaste for pain. Yes, yes, cooler & more forgiving heads should prevail but I speak as one who is deeply flawed.
Feedback welcome.
We've often heard it said that seeking revenge is never the solution, as two wrongs don't make a right; that whatever injury you suffered will never be undone by indulging in retaliation; that no matter how justified you are in wanting to return the malice for the malice that was was inflicted upon you, your wrath can only serve to make things worse; and that old proverb: “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”
But then there is this:
"For those regarded as warriors, when engaged in combat the vanquishing of thine enemy can be the warrior's only concern. Suppress all human emotion and compassion. Kill whoever stands in thy way, even if that be Lord God, or Buddha himself. This truth lies at the heart of the art of combat." ~ Hattori Hanzo.
I have sought revenge at times in my life on those who have betrayed me. Nothing murderous of course, no broken bones or lost limbs. Sometimes it amounted to little more than just being recalcitrant . But upon success I would always rejoice. And nothing so trivial as a momentary gloat, nothing so petty. It would instead be a lasting euphoria. Like being born. It was suddenly being relevant. Like drapes suddenly pulled open to let in an abundance of sunshine. Imagine the look of surprise on a person's face when they distractedly think they're swatting a fly away from their face & suddenly realize it's actually a hornet. Fully visible. You suddenly exist.
In my experience, sometimes you rescue yourself from your own resentment not by appealing to a person's capacity for kindness but by triggering their utter distaste for pain. Yes, yes, cooler & more forgiving heads should prevail but I speak as one who is deeply flawed.
Feedback welcome.