is consistently self-deceiving, with the intent of avoiding guilt and maintaining a self-image of perfection

deceives others as a consequence of their own self-deception

projects his or her evils and sins onto very specific targets (scapegoats) while being apparently normal with everyone else (“their insensitivity toward him was selective” (Peck, 1983/1988, p 105[8]))

commonly hates with the pretense of love, for the purposes of self-deception as much as deception of others

abuses political (emotional) power (“the imposition of one’s will upon others by overt or covert coercion” (Peck, 1978/1992, p298[7]))

maintains a high level of respectability, and lies incessantly to do so

is consistent in his or her sins. Evil persons are characterized not so much by the magnitude of their sins, but by their consistency (of destructiveness)

is unable to think from the viewpoint of their victim (scapegoating)

has a covert intolerance to criticism and other forms of narcissistic injury… Read More Morgan Scott Peck (1936–2005) was an American psychiatrist and best-selling author who wrote the book The Road Less Traveled, published in 1978.