This is so true. All things I despise in others, or are repulsed by, I have felt in myself. Perhaps that's WHY I am repulsed by it.

For example I was watching the show Outlander (exquisitely beautiful story) and the character of Jack Randall horrified me more than any fictional character ever has. I hated him with a burning, boiling passion. I couldn't even finish the final episodes from season 1 because they affected me so much.

But part of the reason was because I recognised sadistic urges in myself, it's the part of myself I hate the most.

One of the things I realise now is that recognising my own capacity for evil, evil thoughts, evil desires, selfish actions, ack of empathy - is a crucial part of becoming a well rounded person. Because I am a microcosm of all of humanity. I strive to act with compassion, with kindness, and with empathy. I do my best not to act on my shadow urges.

But they are there. And the fact they are there does not make me evil. It makes me human. I believe everyone is like this. But few want to accept this about themselves and so separate themselves from those they call "monsters" and so perpetuate the cycle of fear and separation.