Yes, it was real hatred - not the hatred we only read…
““Yes, it was real hatred - not the hatred we only read about in novels, which I do not believe in, hatred that is supposed to find satisfaction in doing some one harm - but the hatred that fills you with overpowering aversion for a person who, however, deserves your respect, yet whose hair, his neck, the way he walks, the sound of his voice, his whole person, his every gesture are repulsive to you, and at the same time some unaccountable force draws you to him and compels you to follow his slightest acts with uneasy attention.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Hatred can be a complex mix of repulsion and irresistible attraction toward someone who commands both contempt and respect.
In simple terms: Conflicted feelings of hate and fascination.
Key Takeaway
Explore the roots of contradictory emotions.
Themes
conflict
psychology
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
intense
Type
psychological
literary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- political rivalries
- artistic inspiration
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
emotional paradox
respect vs. revulsion
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we sometimes admire those we despise?
- What triggers this duality?
A Different Perspective
Hatred may be amplified by personal biases.