Hate

Daily Meditation 994–11/24/2024

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him,” is a quote attributed to GK Chesterton.

And this is one of those age old quotes which definitely feels true to us.

When young, many of us hold grudges. We churn and seethe with hatred. Just ask budding adults about various popular figures and you’re equally likely to get an animated, emotional and bombastic response of hatred or adoration. This seems to abate with age (a.k.a. experience).

Here’s the rub:
Hatred seems like it is a good motivator. As The Hound says in Game of Thrones, “Hate’s as good a thing as any to keep a person going. Better than most.” It seems like it’s a nice focus to urge us forward, but it isn’t. Like anxiety, hatred is acidic in nature. Water dripping on concrete, today, won’t do anything, but come back after a year or two, and it will gradually erode even that.

So, avoid using hate as a motivator. Rivalry, even, can be a dangerous thing — after all, what is rivalry if not hatred dressed up in a mask and fine gown with a filigreed invitation?

In closing — mind your motivating emotions. As Chesterton so aptly put it, love and defense of that which we have is much better of something to fight us forward than hatred of others, jealousy pulling us “forward.”
Be mindful of your hate and avoid giving it the reins.