I find it strange that people often treat our anger as our “true colors.” As if every moment we spend being kind, patient, and loving is somehow less real. Why are we so often defined by our worst moments instead of all the good we consistently bring into the world? A bad day or an angry reaction shouldn’t erase the person we’ve shown ourselves to be every other day.
I finally understand what Machiavelli meant when he said, “Never play fair in a game where others cheat.” It doesn’t mean become evil. It means stop being naive. Stop bringing honesty to people who study manipulation, stop giving access to people who weaponize closeness, and stop expecting clean hands from people who already showed you they’ll throw dirt. Sometimes wisdom is not revenge. Sometimes wisdom is learning the rules of the room before the room uses your goodness against you.