Betrayal Quote by Anna Funder
“Betrayal clearly has its own reward: the small deep human satisfaction of having one up on someone else. It is the psychology of the mistress, and this regime used it as fuel.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1985
The quote describes how betraying others can give a secret, satisfying feeling of power, especially for those in subordinate roles, and how regimes exploit this dynamic.
In simple terms: Betrayal feels rewarding and can be used by power structures.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and resist the lure of secret superiority.
Themes
power
betrayal
psychology
control
manipulation
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
ethical
political
psychological
When to use this quote
- workplace politics
- personal relationships
- political movements
- authoritarian regimes
Key Concepts
psychological reward
social hierarchy
authoritarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you seek power through undermining others?
- How might you channel that drive constructively?
A Different Perspective
The satisfaction is fleeting and can erode trust and moral integrity.
![“I can assure the conspiracy theorists who have very effectively savaged [Gerald] Posner in their books that they're going to have a much, much more difficult time with me. As a trial lawyer in front of a jury and an author of true-crime books, credibility has always meant everything to me. My only…” quote by Vincent Bugliosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/314/vincent-bugliosi-8709_book_i-can-assure-the-conspiracy-theorists-wh_47158.jpg)
![“René of Anjou [(1409-80)] painted a picture of his mistress's corpse as he found it eaten by worms on having it [her tomb] openedon his return from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This [is] another instance of the strange mixture of religion and gallantry in those ages.” quote by Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aba/horace-walpole-3357_age_ren-of-anjou-1409-80-painted-a-picture-o_33917.jpg)
![“The penalties for being an accessory to the attempt to flee the [GDR] were greater than the crime of trying to flee itself.” quote by Anna Funder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b36/anna-funder-9522_crime_the-penalties-for-being-an-accessory-to_200410.jpg)
