Betrayal Quote by Stefan Zweig
“When one does another person an injustice, in some mysterious way it does one good to discover (or to persuade oneself) that the injured party has also behaved badly or unfairly in some little matter or other; it is always a relief to the conscience if one can apportion some measure of guilt to the person one has betrayed.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The World of Yesterday by Stefan Zweig, 1942
When we harm others, we often seek to balance it by finding faults in the victim, easing our guilt.
In simple terms: Finding fault in the injured eases our conscience.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge responsibility instead of blaming.
Themes
guilt
justice
self‑justification
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
ethical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal conflict
- legal disputes
- workplace disagreements
- family arguments
Key Concepts
psychology
morality
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever excuse your wrongdoing by blaming the victim?
- How does this habit affect relationships?
A Different Perspective
Rationalizing harm can prevent genuine accountability.
