When we think of bullies, we imagine children in a school playground, or teenagers in the streets, picking on and tormenting someone. A bully abuses power, and gains satisfaction and indeed status from his ability to manipulate and intimidate others. The bully's self-esteem is enhanced by every successful attempt to dominate and control.
Paradoxically, though bullies are feared, they gather groups of loyal followers who admire and emulate their ways. In fact, they often become heroes. Though bullies are able enough to understand how other people feel - and so to manipulate and exploit their weaknesses - what they lack is empathy, the capacity to feel for others.
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