--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We hate the criminal and deal severely…" description: "\"We hate the criminal and deal severely with him, because we view in his deeds as in a distorting mirror our own criminal tendencies.\" — Sigmund Freud" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/sigmund-freud-360_crime_we-hate-the-criminal-and-deal-severely-w_1335273.jpg" --- # We hate the criminal and deal severely with him, because… ![“We hate the criminal and deal severely with him, because we view in his deeds as in a distorting mirror our own criminal tendencies.” quote by Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/sigmund-freud-360_crime_we-hate-the-criminal-and-deal-severely-w_1335273.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/sigmund-freud-360_crime_we-hate-the-criminal-and-deal-severely-w_1335273.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/sigmund-freud-360_crime_we-hate-the-criminal-and-deal-severely-w_1335273.jpg) > “We hate the criminal and deal severely with him, because we view in his deeds as in a distorting mirror our own criminal tendencies.” [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We despise criminals because their actions reflect our own hidden flaws. **In simple terms:** Hate reveals our own sins. Key Takeaway Examine personal biases when judging others. Themes psychology morality self-awareness Mood introspective analytical Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - justice system - personal relationships - social media discourse Key Concepts projection inner conflict Questions to Reflect On - What part of yourself do you see in the criminal? - Can empathy replace condemnation? A Different Perspective Self-criticism may be uncomfortable but necessary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [I think teaching a man to hate himself is much more criminal than teaching a man to hate someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/i-think-teaching-a-man-to-hate-himself-is-much-more-criminal-than/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Life isn't black and white, so don't hate the criminal, hate the crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aly-johnson/life-isn-t-black-and-white-so-don-t-hate-the-criminal-hate-the-crime/) [Aly Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aly-johnson/) > [“Genetics, accidents of birth or events in early childhood have left criminals' brains and bodies with measurable flaws predisposing them to committing assault, murder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-raine/genetics-accidents-of-birth-or-events-in-early-childhood-have-left/) Adrian Raine > [“Given his own amorality, he could quite easily have come to terms with her criminal tendencies, but he could never, being the snob that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-palmer/given-his-own-amorality-he-could-quite-easily-have-come-to-terms-with/) Elizabeth Palmer > [There is no question that abuse, drugs and exposure to violence at home can exacerbate someone's criminal tendencies enormously. 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