--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a characteristic of the human mind…" description: "\"It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured.\" — Tacitus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3b/tacitus-1552_characteristics_it-is-a-characteristic-of-the-human-mind_1409144.jpg" --- # It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man… ![“It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured.” quote by Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3b/tacitus-1552_characteristics_it-is-a-characteristic-of-the-human-mind_1409144.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3b/tacitus-1552_characteristics_it-is-a-characteristic-of-the-human-mind_1409144.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3b/tacitus-1552_characteristics_it-is-a-characteristic-of-the-human-mind_1409144.jpg) > “It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured.” [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human nature often harbors resentment toward those we have harmed, reflecting a moral conflict between guilt and hatred. **In simple terms:** We hate those we hurt. Key Takeaway Acknowledge harm and seek reconciliation. Themes morality psychology conflict Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal relationships - conflict resolution - justice systems Key Concepts guilt cognitive dissonance Questions to Reflect On - Can you forgive someone you have hurt? - What drives hatred after causing harm? A Different Perspective The quote assumes hatred is inevitable, ignoring forgiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Characteristics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characteristics/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Hate Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate-man/) [Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred/) [He man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he-man/) [Human mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-mind/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Injured](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injured/) [Man Injured](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-injured-4961239/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-hate-298173/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [Man has injured every animal he has touched.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/man-has-injured-every-animal-he-has-touched/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [It is human nature to hate the man whom you have hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/it-is-human-nature-to-hate-the-man-whom-you-have-hurt/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [“I can't get him out of my mind. I hate him, and I love him. I loathe him, and I lust him. I completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-beale/i-can-t-get-him-out-of-my-mind-i-hate-him-and-i-love-him-i-loathe-him/) [Ashley Beale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-beale/) > [Is not easy to forget what your heart still seek and desire , how can you love what your mind already hate?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laylablack/is-not-easy-to-forget-what-your-heart-still-seek-and-desire-how-can/) [Laylablack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laylablack/) > [How can I forget you if you are always on my mind? How can I hate you if you are the one I love?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keziah-kleyr-ambe/how-can-i-forget-you-if-you-are-always-on-my-mind-how-can-i-hate-you/) [Keziah Kleyr Ambe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keziah-kleyr-ambe/) > [“I hate the way you talk to me And the way you cut your hair I hate the way you drive my car I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-hate-the-way-you-talk-to-me-and-the-way-you-cut-your-hair-i-hate/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [“The world runs,” Lowell said, “on the fuel of this endless, fathomless misery. People know it, but they don’t mind what they don’t see.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-joy-fowler/the-world-runs-lowell-said-on-the-fuel-of-this-endless-fathomless/) [Karen Joy Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-joy-fowler/) > [I don't hate you, I just...never mind I hate you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-banks/i-don-t-hate-you-i-just-never-mind-i-hate-you/) [Carlos Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-banks/) > [It is human to hate those whom we have injured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/it-is-human-to-hate-those-whom-we-have-injured/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [“It is a principle of nature to hate those whom you have injured.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/it-is-a-principle-of-nature-to-hate-those-whom-you-have-injured/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [It is the nature of the human disposition to hate him whom you have injured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/it-is-the-nature-of-the-human-disposition-to-hate-him-whom-you-have/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Cinema’s characteristic forte is its ability to capture and communicate the intimacies of the human mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satyajit-ray/cinema-s-characteristic-forte-is-its-ability-to-capture-and/) [Satyajit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satyajit-ray/) > [“Nobody can hate man more than man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karel-capek/nobody-can-hate-man-more-than-man/) [Karel Čapek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karel-capek/) > [“I remember Christian teachers telling me long ago that I must hate a bad man's actions but not hate the bad man: or, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/i-remember-christian-teachers-telling-me-long-ago-that-i-must-hate-a/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [Your Reverence, I do not hate any man in this world enough to inflict the results of my prayers upon him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/your-reverence-i-do-not-hate-any-man-in-this-world-enough-to-inflict/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) ## More by Tacitus > [Benefits received are a delight to us as long as we think we can requite them; when that possibility is far exceeded, they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/benefits-received-are-a-delight-to-us-as-long-as-we-think-we-can/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Rumor does not always err; it sometimes even elects a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/rumor-does-not-always-err-it-sometimes-even-elects-a-man/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [ None mourn more ostentatiously than those who most rejoice at it \[a death\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/none-mourn-more-ostentatiously-than-those-who-most-rejoice-at-it-a/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [So true is it that all transactions of preeminent importance are wrapt in doubt and obscurity; while some hold for certain facts the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/so-true-is-it-that-all-transactions-of-preeminent-importance-are/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/be-assured-those-will-be-thy-worst-enemies-not-to-whom-thou-hast-done/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Christianity is a pestilent superstition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/christianity-is-a-pestilent-superstition/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Indeed, the crowning proof of their valour and their strength is that they keep up their superiority without harm to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/indeed-the-crowning-proof-of-their-valour-and-their-strength-is-that/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Formerly we suffered from crimes; now we suffer from laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/formerly-we-suffered-from-crimes-now-we-suffer-from-laws/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [ None mourn more ostentatiously over the death of Germanicus than those who most rejoice at it \[a death\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/none-mourn-more-ostentatiously-over-the-death-of-germanicus-than/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/once-killing-starts-it-is-difficult-to-draw-the-line/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/the-lust-of-dominion-burns-with-a-flame-so-fierce-as-to-overpower-all/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [“It is a principle of nature to hate those whom you have injured.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/it-is-a-principle-of-nature-to-hate-those-whom-you-have-injured/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Kindness, so far as we can return it, is agreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/kindness-so-far-as-we-can-return-it-is-agreeable/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Posterity gives every man his true value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/posterity-gives-every-man-his-true-value/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [The most detestable race of enemies are flatterers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/the-most-detestable-race-of-enemies-are-flatterers/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) [Explore all 227 Tacitus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) ## More Characteristics quotes > [One of the key characteristics of the comic book medium is that it is not brought to life by just one voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-lee/one-of-the-key-characteristics-of-the-comic-book-medium-is-that-it-is/) [Jim Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-lee/) > [“What makes a good leader? I ask myself this every day, and then as I begin to list off characteristics I realize I’m describing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/what-makes-a-good-leader-i-ask-myself-this-every-day-and-then-as-i/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Those who know New York City primarily through tourism or mass culture may think of us natives as possessing certain shared characteristics, not all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dee/those-who-know-new-york-city-primarily-through-tourism-or-mass/) [Jonathan Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dee/) > [Sometimes, Ms. Lane," he said, "one must break with one's past to embrace one's future. It is never an easy thing to do. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/sometimes-ms-lane-he-said-one-must-break-with-one-s-past-to-embrace/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Just because someone thinks they remember something in detail, with confidence and with emotion, does not mean that it actually happened, .. False memories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-loftus/just-because-someone-thinks-they-remember-something-in-detail-with/) [Elizabeth Loftus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-loftus/) > [Consequently, citizen legislators, rotating back to their communities after a short period of public service—considered an indispensable and routine characteristic and design of representative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/consequently-citizen-legislators-rotating-back-to-their-communities/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A second characteristic of the process which for me is the good life, is that it involves an increasingly tendency to live fully in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-rogers/a-second-characteristic-of-the-process-which-for-me-is-the-good-life/) [Carl Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-rogers/) > [Philanthropy is one of the most hopeful characteristics of our time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-livermore/philanthropy-is-one-of-the-most-hopeful-characteristics-of-our-time/) [Mary Livermore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-livermore/) > [God has given this way of life to Israel: to abstain from everything which is contrary to nature, that is to say, anger, fits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poemen/god-has-given-this-way-of-life-to-israel-to-abstain-from-everything/) [Poemen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poemen/) > [The most significant moment will be when we stop referring to the hiring of qualified women (and racial, ethnic and religious minorities) as significant.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-trask/the-most-significant-moment-will-be-when-we-stop-referring-to-the/) [Amy Trask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-trask/) > [Iron and coal dominated everywhere, from grey to black: the black boots, the black stove-pipe hat, the black coach or carriage, the black iron…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/iron-and-coal-dominated-everywhere-from-grey-to-black-the-black-boots/) [Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/) > [The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. 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