Psychology Today | 01.02.2026 22:54
We hear the word “hate” a lot these days. Let’s look at what it may be about. Hate is holding on to blame, ill will, othering, resentment, and retaliation. Its definition is the opposite of that of forgiveness: a letting go of blame, ill will, othering, resentment, and retaliation. Forgiveness frees us and grants closure after a painful event. Hate stays in us, eats away at us. The rage, blame, and venomous ill will are unceasing. Our revenges are ongoing; our need to hurt back is insatiable. There is no “this revenge has gone far enough.” In hate, the need to hurt is never used up.
