indifference

I need to be asleep right now, so this is going to be a comment without premise, which is perhaps for the best.

I have come to the conclusion that indifference towards someone or something is malicious in its own right. Indifference or apathy directed (or lacking direction) often hurts the most...more than harsh words and active malice.

It's like Russell would argue: love and hate are not opposites. In fact they are more closely related than we might like to admit. It's apathy that is the opposite of either. One must care enough to love or hate someone or something...apathy is easy.

That's how to really inflict pain...indifference...