Diabolical mindset
Not Everyone Clapping Is On Your Team.
You’d Never Guess What’s Hiding Behind That Grin
As a school student, I was really intrigued to learn about how a chameleon changed its color.
My teacher explained how it changed its hues in response to various situations — for communication and protection. But when I grew up, I started hearing people use “chameleon” as a metaphor for someone with a sneaky personality.
I’m not totally convinced, as Chameleon is far better than the one with the diabolical mind. It changes its color for its welfare but doesn’t deceive anyone by masking its ugly intentions.
If you ask me what I’m frightened of, it’s not snakes, lions, or any wild animals; it’s people with a devious nature.
I believed I was an expert at reading people. But when my psychiatrist cousin explained the various patterns of human behavior, I had to admit that I wasn’t as skilled at reading between the lines as I had believed.
She shared an interesting story about her encounter with a so-called two-faced person, M. At first, he came across as cheerful, kind, and full of compliments, always encouraging her work.
Naturally, she was thrilled to have met someone who seemed so selfless and supportive.
One day, a chance meeting with a friend who also knew M completely changed her perspective. She was shaken to realize that M had been playing both sides all along.
When she confronted him, he lied and evaded her assertions My cousin elaborated on the characteristic traits of people with a diabolic mindset.
She warned me to stay away from people with inconsistent attitudes who always throw fake compliments and praises, manipulative behavior, and, most importantly, who don’t admit their mistakes and, in turn, who blame others for being principled or too observant.
Every time I talk to my cousin, it feels like I’ve had a therapy session. Makes sense, though, since she’s a psychiatrist.
Ever since I started taking my cousin’s advice seriously, I’ve become a bit cautious about forming new connections. Instead of getting along with them immediately, I initially scrutinize them as to whether this is their real self. Is this smile genuine or a fake smile covering up something else?
I have been following these strategies to deal with the hypocrites:
- Always take time to establish connections.This helps you to access their personality to some extent.
- Don’t be vocal about your vulnerabilities or personal issues with someone until you trust them completely.
- Just because you and someone have a mutual friend doesn’t mean you should share everything with them. What you say might end up sounding like gossip later.
Whenever I think of someone shady, I always remember that line from Shakespeare’s“ Macbeth — “Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it.” This line is an advice given by Lady Macbeth to her husband to conceal his malicious intentions and plot the king’s murder.
The inconsistent attitude of person with diabolical mindset makes you dizzy, and you start questioning your judgement.
When you’re too cautious, you end up missing the whole point. Likewise, when you over analyze people, you might build walls instead of connections and end up missing out on some really genuine ones.
Nowadays, I make friends with people based on their real moves and never go by their words, as sometimes it turns out to be a sugar coating. Hence, I surround myself with the right ones.
Two-faced people actually teach you something important. Just because someone is hypocritical doesn’t mean it diminishes your shine. Be yourself because real beauty comes from within, and no one can mess with that.
