The quote "Ask you what provocation I have had? The strong antipathy of good to bad" is a profound statement about the inherent conflict between good and bad, right and wrong. It suggests that the speaker has been provoked or driven to action not by any external circumstance or personal grievance, but by the fundamental opposition between good and bad.
The ‘strong antipathy of good to bad’ implies a natural, instinctive repulsion or hostility that ‘good’ has towards ‘bad’. In other words, the speaker is motivated by a moral or ethical imperative, a deep-seated aversion to wrongdoing. This is a powerful statement about the nature of morality and the innate human desire for justice and righteousness.
Applying this idea to today’s world or personal development, it can be seen as a call to action. It suggests that we should not wait for external circumstances to prompt us to do what is right; instead, we should be driven by our inherent sense of morality. It is about taking a stand against wrongdoing, not because we are personally affected or stand to gain anything, but simply because it is the right thing to do.
In terms of personal development, this quote can be a reminder to stay true to our moral compass, to let our actions be guided by our innate sense of right and wrong. It is about developing the courage to stand up for what we believe in, even when it is not convenient or beneficial to us. It suggests that personal growth and integrity come from acting according to our principles, from the ‘strong antipathy of good to bad’.