Good things can be used for bad purposes.
The goodness itself is not the problem. The problem begins when it is used to control, excuse, hide, or harm.
To Control Someone
• Kindness. Helping someone, then expecting obedience. “After everything I did for you, you owe me.”
• Generosity. Giving something with strings attached. “Remember how much I gave you.”
• Protection. Using concern to control someone’s choices. “I’m doing this for your own good.”
To Avoid Responsibility
• Forgiveness. Pressuring someone to forgive instead of taking action. “Just forgive him. Don’t report what happened.”
• Compassion. Using sympathy for the wrongdoer to avoid accountability. “Think about his future. Do we really need to report him?”
• Tolerance. Using acceptance to block fair criticism. “If you don’t accept what I’m doing, you’re intolerant.”
To Protect Their Own
• Loyalty. Hiding or defending wrongdoing to protect family or a group. “Whatever happens, we protect our own.”
• Faith. Using God or religion to control or silence people. “If you go against me, you go against God.”
To Hurt or Punish
• Honesty. Using the truth to hurt someone on purpose. “I’m just being honest.”
• Justice. Turning justice into revenge. “The punishment isn’t enough. I want him to suffer.”
To Look Good
• Humility. Acting humble to gain trust or avoid questions. “I’m just a simple person. Why would you doubt me?”
• Charity. Helping people to gain loyalty, influence, or favors. “I helped your family. You know who to vote for.”
Goodness is powerful because people trust it. That is also what makes its misuse hard to see.
Evil does not always arrive looking evil.
Sometimes it comes carrying a gift.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ