WOLFISM V from Wolfie's blog

The weak and the stupid smell like prey to the Devil Inside.

Consider the pack of wolves giving chase to a herd of deer. Invariably the hunters will zero in on the weakest or stupidest of the fleeing animals. These canine instincts have evolved over millions of years. Simian instincts are no different. What sets humans apart from many other beasts is that we aggress not only toward other species but also toward our own, though in the case of our own we aren’t generally motivated by cannibalism, but rather, territory, resources, or status. Also our aggression toward one another is usually indirect: we normally aren’t trying to kill or even rob our adversaries, but rather, to outcompete them. (Of course killing and robbing aren’t entirely unheard of.) Unsurprisingly, we choose as our targets the weakest and stupidest among us. This is especially true when we are in fact looking to rob, swindle, blackmail or exploit someone. It is always open season on weaklings and cretins.

In the jungle it’s commonplace for the lion, when no longer hungry, to pay no attention to creatures it would otherwise make a meal of. The creatures themselves are actually aware of this, and will venture much nearer to the king of the jungle than they would ever otherwise dare to. This indifference on the part of the carnivore does not progress into any sort of congeniality. The lion, even a satiated one, has absolutely no desire to lie down with the lamb. The predatory Devil inside the simian is equally indifferent to the weak and the stupid when they have nothing it wants. But if pushed into proximity to them, or dragged into interacting with them, the Devil’s indifference will devolve into disgust, irritation, and spite. This is the misanthropic impulse. The Devil does not, by any means, suffer fools gladly, or let mice make a nest in its beard. Prey belong on the dinner plate or else out from underfoot.

Most intolerable of all, to the Devil, is the realization that it, itself, has exhibited weakness or stupidity. This of course will happen from time to time, as no one is perfect, but when it does, the Devil’s disgust and irritation with itself will far outstrip what it feels toward others. What could be more humiliating to the lion than to look in the mirror and see a lamb? Its gorge will rise. Its spite toward itself will veer to the murderous. Pride is an appetite and humiliation is rancid meat. For this reason, the Devil, and especially the Devil in coitus with ego, will take pains to train itself in strength and intelligence. Much of the Great Work is the never-ending battle to grow stronger and wiser.

Finally, there is the flip side of misanthropy: the mutual respect of fellow predators. This is the “little more to the story” that was alluded to in the previous writing. This is the closest thing to moral restraint the Devil ever experiences. You are strong and you are wise, a tiger to my lion, and therefore I will respect your territory, your resources, and your status. I will restrain my appetites. I will look elsewhere for other prizes. I do this not because I fear you, but because I respect you. Even though I might legally target your share of the world’s good potentials, I will not. You may keep what is yours. I smell your markings on the trail and I do not venture past them, though I know I could safely do so. This is the true meaning of honor among thieves. This is the Robber’s Code. Be forewarned: it does not apply to weaklings and cretins, for on them it is always open season. ISCHYROS DIAVOLOS!