The Devil Inside
“I trust everyone; it’s the devil inside them I don’t trust.” This memorable quote is uttered John Bridger (played by Donald Sutherland) in the 2003 movie The Italian Job as he discusses an upcoming gold heist with his fellow thieves. This paranoid sentiment is dramatically validated when Bridger himself is gunned down shortly after the heist by one of his colleagues who decided to keep all of the gold for himself. This startling betrayal highlights an interesting and disturbing aspect of human nature.
As I’ve personally watched the behavior of people in the laboratory of high-pressure, corporate politics I’ve found that it’s hard not to become cynical. Everywhere one looks people seem absolutely hell-bent on tearing each other down, hoping to prevail at the expense of another. Like so many vultures, they circle the wounded animal hoping to pluck a few scraps of meat from its carcass. Betrayal, intrigue and gossip are rampant. Even among organizations that purport to uphold standards of trust and honesty this behavior still prevails.
During the course of my career I’ve witnessed this cannibalistic behavior first-hand - behavior that goes well beyond the limits of healthy competition. From time-to-time I’ve questioned the would-be Judas about his conduct, confronting him with the dubious motives his acts demonstrate. Yet, when faced with this obvious correlation such an individual will vehemently deny any negative intentions. “I’m not trying to undermine so-and-so!” or “I’m not trying to steal that person’s job!” are common refrains during such an exchange. These declarations are made with such force and conviction that it is difficult to doubt their sincerity.
How is this possible? How can a person have no intention of hurting another, yet behave in a way that is so perfectly congruent with that nefarious motive? I’ve seen this pattern all too often to write it off it as mere coincidence. Somehow, otherwise good and honest people frequently behave in ignoble ways with no apparent knowledge of the probable consequences. This apparent discontent between motive and action is difficult to reconcile until one recalls John Bridger’s familiar refrain, “I trust everyone; it’s the devil inside them I don’t trust.”
Think back for just a moment to the cartoons you used to watch as a kid. Remember what happened when a cartoon character was faced with a difficult moral dilemma? Suddenly, a little angle would appear on one shoulder, a tiny devil on the other. The angel and devil would argue back and forth, trying to convince the cartoon character to choose the path of good or evil. Comical as this may sound, I believe that such actors - though invisible - inhabit the shoulders of almost all human beings. Ultimately, we all have our own little angels and devils with which to contend.
Sigmund Freud postulated that our darker impulses originate from a part of our personality he termed “the Id”. According to Freud, this aspect lacked any moral compass and was driven by selfish desire. In many ways, the Id could be considered synonymous with one’s “little devil”, but I believe the latter is much more than purely selfish impulse. All too often the reprehensible behavior I’ve witnessed is more than a simple, momentary flicker of egoism - patterns emerge which demonstrate high-level, even strategic thinking.
I believe the devil inside could be considered a separate consciousness, driven by base impulses but simultaneously capable of rational thought. This inner fiend can carefully weigh choice and consequence, can develop intricate plans, without stirring our active consciousness. Thus, when the little devil whispers in our ear, encourages us to take steps that will ultimately lead us to prosper at another’s expense, we can deny any knowledge of the grand design. “I never meant for this happen - I never thought you would get hurt!” are words commonly spoken by those who’ve reaped the benefit from another’s fall.
I don’t have any scientific basis for these assumptions - perhaps it’s wishful thinking - but I have to believe that the majority of the people I’ve witnessed tearing each other down simply aren’t cognizant of the true impact of their actions. It’s been interesting for me to carefully examine my own personal behavior - to recognize the times that I may have been influenced in word and deed by such a malevolent entity. It’s harrowing to consider how a simple act in the wrong time, or the wrong place can have such a significant impact on the fortunes of another.
While ignorance of the possible consequences of one’s actions offers some acquittal, ultimately a person knows from whence ignoble suggestions come. Those who endeavor to live lives of service and value to others would do well to recognize the presence of their own “little devils” and strive to acknowledge their own true feelings and motives. This recognition will also allow a person to actively guard against the potentially damaging behavior of their peers, without simultaneously condemning them as evil. Thus, like John Bridger, we can trust everyone - but keep an eye on that mischievous devil that lurks within us all.
I’m interested in what you have to say about this article! Whether you agree or disagree, please feel free to leave a comment. If you are reading this article from the main page, you can get to the comments area by clicking on the “Comment” link seen below; otherwise, just type your comment in the box displayed below. You can also use any of the social networking links below to recommend this article to others. I look forward to hearing from you!
April 27th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I think you hit on an important point here. I’ve been thinking about the gap between conscious and subconscious thought for a while now. I think the conscious mind has to reconcile itself with external values (such as those taught by church, society etc.) and the individual trying to play a role. The idea of integrity as a person, in my mind has to do with reconciling the subconscious with the conscious and developing a single personality.
I’ve noticed in myself for example how I semi-consciously use emotion and other control mechanisms to get what I want out of my marriage or friends. The sad thing is we all do it to one another. I think the key is to recognize that we do it, work on making the sub-conscious more of a semi-conscious and eventually working with it on a fully-conscious level.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:46 am
[...] [...]
June 18th, 2008 at 10:22 am
[...] for most of us the act of betrayal is far more subtle. It comes through tiny words or actions - listening to our own “little devils” - to secure advantage over those with whom we claim kinship. Regardless of whether the full impact [...]