Contempt is an ugly reality because it involves someone who thinks they are strong looking down upon someone who may or may not be weak (weak and strong are slippery concepts). When contempt arises in the heart, not only is there no pity, but there is some urge to ignore, avoid and destroy the person who is vulnerable. Contempt is the lust of someone who thinks they have high status to injure someone who is perceived with low status.
“Men are much more unrolling to have their weaknesses and their imperfections known than their crimes; and if you hint to a man that you think him silly, ignorant, or even ill-bred or awkward, he will hate you more and longer than if you tell him plainly that you think him a rogue.”
– 4th Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope
The black energy of contempt dangerously trickles into the heart of anyone who wants something for themselves. The only way to deal with this ugly reality is to focus on giving the best of yourself to something or someone.
Just work hard at something that you respect and ignore the complaints, naggery and criticism (the contempt) of those who have no harmony with you, or who have no desire (or discipline) to give themselves to a work that is in harmony with yours.
“Contempt of others is the truest symptom of a base and bad heart, while it suggests itself to the mean and the vile, and tickles there little fancy on every occasion, it never enters the great and good mind but on the strongest motives; nor is it then a welcome guest, affording only an uneasy sensation, and bringing always with it a mixture of concern and compassion.” – Henry Fielding
Patrick Watts 