What is evil? This is a very deeply moral subject. I'm again touching on dangerous territory here, where most people most likely won't be in agreement. After a lifelong analysis of this issue, I’ve found it a very dynamic source of controversy. I’m obviously going to eat lots of lead after expressing some views here. But it can’t be helped; I am after all, providing the ammunition and firepower for my own execution.

I remember myself admitting: “Time and time again, I have been told that if I were to follow in the footsteps of those who were hanged, I would share the same fate. If that is my destiny, then so be it, for I’d much rather be hanged with my beliefs than live as a fool with no belief whatsoever.” I also rekindle my thoughts on the matter: “Do not forsake me, oh tragic death. Please bring the dark upon me, for I’d rather be a dead wise man than a living fool.”

Who are we to judge what is good and what is evil? I’ve tried my best to synchronize my thoughts prior to explaining my hypothesis on this matter. I will maintain a thoughtful approach at describing this scenario, while refraining from being dogmatic and self-absorbed whilst acknowledging that all people have good and evil in them, if those two characteristics even truly exist.

When the sophisticated enigma that is Emperor Julius Caesar had ruled Rome and brought about the barbaric gladiator bouts which enthused and excited the not-so-tender at heart, he was shunned and considered cruel by many who opposed his regime. When ruler Genghis Khan set forth a monstrous horde and conquered all of Eastern Europe and Asia for the Mongolian Empire, it was considered brutal and sadistic… and likely evil. When the ever-talented, multi-taskmaster, and dynamic campaign leader Napoleon Bonaparte led his army into a hailstorm of icy hell in Russia’s winter tundra of a labyrinth, he managed to inadvertently carry out a death sentence of an entire French battalion; this is possibly considered brutal by some.

Can we judge these men as evil?

When exquisite Generalissimus Alexander Suvorov led the conflict against the French forces and the Ottoman Empire, he explained that in order to save millions, we must allow thousands to perish in the heat of battle… a sacrifice worth making… this action would be viewed as irrational by some. When Grand Vizier Mehmed Talat tightened a grip around the Ottoman Empire and committed a stranglehold against the religions of the world and perpetrated Genocide, it may be considered vile by many. When Roman oddity Caligula submerged people into his twisted lunatic fringe of a utopia, some considered it madness.

Were these men truly twisted?

When Fuhrer Adolf Hitler led a worldwide aggression and violated the Treaty of Versailles with the ever-flamboyant Luftwaffe Commander Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering, they sealed the fate of millions with the swipe of their hands. When Pharaoh Khufu committed to executions in the mindset that he was protected by the god Khnum, it was considered maniacal by many. When propagandist Benito Mussolini commandeered Italy through a Fascist government, he may be seen as somewhat wicked. When Generalissimo Joseph Stalin decided to pay his comrades back in their own blood upon their victorious return, they raised their arms no longer for a stoic and brave march… this may be seen as a malicious act of paranoia by some.

Were these men acting out of hatred?

When Christopher Columbus assimilated into a new region and vanquished the natives, he committed to wipe out the existing civilization, bringing forth a massacre in the millions. When Ivan IV Vassilyevich proceeded to purge those he feared and brought on famine and epidemics killing thousands, some may find it rather bitter of him. When Robert Oppenheimer’s deadly creation was furiously unleashed against Hiroshima and Nagasaki under Harry Truman’s monstrous order, it is considered atrocious and relentless by many. When Mao Zedong proceeded to spearhead a selfish vengeance against anyone who posed a threat to the Communist Party of China, it is seen as savage by thousands. When mystic Grigori Rasputin went against the tsarist government structure and played the role of extravagant puppeteer, some see it as devious.

Were these men negligent of life?

Who are we to judge these men? Who are we to judge the remnants of the past; the stepping stones of our historic future; the puzzle that is completed through their genuine fanaticism? Who are we to judge what we can barely scrape the surface of? Judge not. Only comprehend and learn.

The bottom line is that these men were acting for themselves. They all thought of the best situation for themselves and conceived a scenario where the outcome best suited their needs. In hindsight, I see no one as evil. As loving and open as that may seem in regards to my own sentiment, it’s out of true virtue that I realize this. None of the aforementioned did anything with a predetermined cause for evil. If anything, it can be characterized as a manifestation of selfishness. They were selfish men with their own desires; yes. But were they evil?

My summary of this issue is rather perplexed. Here’s how my perspective unfolds. A man who leaves a mark on history is brilliant just for doing so. I see no act as evil. All these men are legendary because they shall never be forgotten by man’s written work. They shall never leave our thoughts; in that sense, they are truly immortal. I have said about this: “If I am to live without dedication, ‘tis better I no longer breathe.”

Now about evil, I don’t believe there is truly such a thing. A protagonist who goes on to kill many antagonists is seen as heroic. What makes one a hero; to stand against greater odds and topple one’s adversaries? The greatest truth here is that there is no ultimate truth. There is, ultimately, no such thing as an absolute good or an absolute evil. I recall giving a speech on this matter prior, riling up many to understand the core heart of the issue: “One man’s good is considered another man’s evil while one man’s evil is considered good for another man!” Hence, it is all a matter of opinion.

To stand against a certain oppressive government can be heroic for one person, yet evil for another. It’s a mindset. True historians never have an opinion on the matter. They speak of history and it’s conquerors as objectively as possible. To be subjective is the true crime. To have an opinion on any person is in and of itself a dogmatic approach. I hate no one. I hate nothing. I am free of hate. And therefore, I see that what matters in life is the impression that one leaves, what impact one has on history itself, and how powerful and memorable this notion is.

What is evil’s true definition in unison with good. I’ve also said “As one finds peace from serenity, another may find comfort from chaos.” An antidote to repressed human anger is the releasing of aggression, havoc, and the overall expression of ferocity. If this is an outward manifestation of what can be characterized as evil, then we should all be aware that this straightforward reaction exists through the history of all mankind. To be poetic about this, I have said: “You do not have to be behind bars, surrounded by walls, or bound by chains in order to be in jail. Your heart can just as easily be imprisoned.”

I’ve noted oftentimes that life is full of chaos and tragedy. And people tell me to wake up and face it daily. My response to this has been simple: “So they say, rise to see the world. I say, if I am to stay awake and be blind to the havoc, ‘tis better if I sleep.” I’ve found that we cannot ignore what happens around us. Our actions bring forth an overwhelming collision course with our destiny. Our actions decipher our final fate.

At the same time, we are conflicted with ourselves because we want to find an ultimate purpose to life, the same way that we want to explain life’s differences as good and evil. From where I stand, there is no ultimate good or ultimate evil. If history had not been such a cruel joke upon mankind, then we’d have no story to tell. If all is a magnificent Greek tragedy in the end, then we are being faced with an inescapable fate that we can’t control. But I don’t subscribe to this belief. I find it beautiful and poetic, but I do not believe that our actions are propelled by exterior powers.

A General who gives his soldiers commands is a perfect example. I recall my statement: “So the General says: So, you are willing to live for me, breathe for me, and fight for me. But, are you willing to die for me?” There is true beauty in service to the end; although some may characterize this as thoughtless, remorseless and evil. To be a soldier means to follow orders, not to think for oneself. I have strengthened this belief with my phrase: “What is a soldier without his order? A soldier without his order is nothing!” However, with the handicap of not making one’s own decisions, one makes up for it with great loyalty and great courage. I’ve also said in this regard, “A loyal death is worth more than a thousand disloyal lives.” Loyalty in difficult times is more precious than anything in life. It can be seen as evil when the battle being fought is ruthless, but in hindsight, loyalty is what makes men such a beautiful enigma.

We can’t characterize either act as purely good or purely evil. We must sacrifice our goodness in some instances to accomplish such a feat known as victory. Victory is not attained through thought provocation alone. It’s a matter of practical knowledge, as well as a combination of experience and selfish desire. This is where selfishness can be seen as a beneficial attribution. It is only the victor who shall smile when the final curtain is drawn, and the fallen who shall not. My statement, “Evil is but a perspective. Evil for one may be good for another and vice versa,” deals with the psychological analysis of how different people view different scenarios.

I remember my own analysis of humans: “Why would some people want to destroy what others have tried so hard to build? Because destruction is a stagnant part of the soul, just as much as progress.” There is no escaping the truth. Mankind has in itself the urge to conquer, the urge to capture, the urge to obtain power. This is exquisite. It shan’t be shunned. And about the great moments of action, I have said: “Better to think about one thing and be decisive rather than think about many things and remain indecisive.” It’s beneficial to be a dedicated person. There is no absolute truth to life. There is no certainty. It’s all a matter of chance. And yet, someone who dedicates themselves to a certain mission, has a more favorable chance of reaching their goal than the slacker. Neither of these instances is evil. And neither is inherently good. They are all a matter of perspective. Devotion can be characterized as a fanaticism. And it can also be greatly beneficial to the person who is dedicated.

Man’s desires can be portrayed as evil. I have said, “Man will always admire what man can’t have.” It’s very difficult to be devoid of all wants and needs. Humans will always have a desire to obtain more. This can be seen as evil by some. Truly, this is not evil. This is merely a difference in human characteristics. There are people who desire and there are people who do not. The majority want more. I’ve also said, “Man’s own desires shall be the cause of one’s own suffocation.” I believe this phrase still genuinely holds great truth to it. Man does not try to bring an end to oneself knowingly, but the spirals of life are so difficult a pattern, that when led astray, man can no longer control oneself.

Good and evil will always be a state of mind; a mere difference of opinion and a clash of thoughts. To speak of what is the ultimate and absolute good and evil is folly. When a man wins a battle, he has slain his opponent. But the slain has fallen still. Arise he shall not. And I shall speak of my own opinion on this matter, to be slightly subjective for once. Those who say that men of history are evil, I say to them in my poetic verse:

They brought with them
Pain
They were indeed
Slain
But with me they shall
Remain

For one man's
Agony
Is another man's
Beauty

Hence brutal souls end their
Enemies
Bring many men to their
Knees

While they burn the heart
Of thee
Tender is their touch
To me!