In case you haven’t noticed, people get hard-hearted…
““In case you haven’t noticed, people get hard-hearted against the people they hurt. Because we can’t stand it. Literally. To think we did that to someone. I did that. So we think of all the reasons why it’s okay we did whatever we did.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Olive Kitteridge, 2008
People rationalize hurting others by convincing themselves it’s justified, avoiding guilt and self‑blame.
In simple terms: We excuse hurting people to protect our feelings.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and own your impact on others.
Themes
guilt
self‑justification
empathy
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
ethical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- conflict resolution
- leadership
- therapy
Key Concepts
psychology
morality
cognitive dissonance
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do you rationalize harmful actions?
- How can you confront uncomfortable guilt?
A Different Perspective
Self‑justification can blind us to real harm.