This quote by Friedrich Nietzsche suggests that both pity and malice are self-serving emotions. They are not primarily concerned with the feelings of others, but rather, they serve the individual who experiences them.

When we pity someone, it is often because it makes us feel better about ourselves, not because it brings any joy or relief to the individual we pity. In other words, pity is more about our own feelings of superiority or comfort than it is about the well-being of the person we pity.

Similarly, when we act with malice towards someone, it is not because we get pleasure from their pain, but because it serves our own interests or desires in some way. The pain inflicted on the other person is merely a byproduct of our own self-serving actions.

In today’s world, this concept can be applied in a variety of contexts. For example, in the realm of social media, people often express pity or outrage for others not necessarily because they genuinely care about the individual or cause, but because it makes them feel better about themselves or because it aligns with their own personal agenda. This is sometimes referred to as “virtue signaling.”

In terms of personal development, understanding this concept can help us become more self-aware and authentic in our interactions with others. It can encourage us to examine our motives when we feel pity or malice, and to strive for genuine empathy and kindness instead. It can also help us recognize when others might be using these emotions for their own personal gain, allowing us to respond more effectively.