Observing vindictive behaviour

There’s a famous parable called The Scorpion and the Frog. I’m sure we’ve all heard it, but I’ll very quickly summarize it to illustrate my point.

To cross the river a scorpion, unable to swim, asks a frog for help, but the frog is hesitant. He assumes the scorpion will kill him as soon as his back is turned, so the scorpion responds “Why would I kill you, if I did, we’ll both die?”

Very sound reasoning indeed — so the frog agrees to help. Nobody is that stupid, surely? However, around halfway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog and they both die.

The story’s meaning is that vicious people can’t resist hurting others, even when it won’t benefit them. Something I’ve pondered for a long time whilst observing behaviour on social media.

Often, people go out of their way to inflict pain, cause uncertainty or build remorse towards others. They’re vicious with no benefit, no evidence and no personal vendetta to serve. They’re just vindictive.

When they need something, they’ll act like your best friend, but as soon as your back is turned, they’ll sting you in cold blood… Like the scorpion, it’s in their nature.