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The scapegoat has always had the mysterious power of unleashing man's ferocious pleasure in torturing, corrupting, and befouling.
Francois Mauriac
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects on the dark human tendency to project guilt and blame onto others, deriving pleasure from their suffering.

Francois Mauriac’s quote addresses the unsettling psychological phenomenon of scapegoating, where individuals or groups deflect their own guilt and issues onto others. This action not only highlights a moral failing but also reveals a disturbing aspect of human nature, as many find a sense of satisfaction in the mistreatment of those they perceive as guilty or responsible for societal ills. The scapegoat embodies the complexities of human relationships and the capacity for cruelty inherent within us all.

Themes

ScapegoatHuman NaturePsychologyGuiltCruelty

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about social justice, one could use the quote to highlight the dangers of scapegoating marginalized communities.

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The man who partakes in the breaking of the bread dares to build his house on the very core of love. He becomes, as it were, Godlike, but regardless of the strength he derives from it, his free will remains. We are always free to disown this immense grace, to abuse it. The Greatest Love may be betrayed. Fed on the Living Bread, we nevertheless conceal a part of ourselves which longs for swine's food.
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That is the mystery of grace: it never comes too late.
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No love, no friendship, can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever.
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To love someone is to see a miracle invisible to others.
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Where does discipline end? Where does cruelty begin? Somewhere between these, thousands of children inhabit a voiceless hell.
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