The Healthy Man Does Not Torture Others - Generally It is the tortured who turns into torturers

 Introduction

Human history is full of cruelty and violence, raising the question: why do some people hurt others while others show compassion in the same situations? The saying suggests that cruelty does not come from people at peace with themselves, but from those who have been hurt before. This view shows how human psychology works and how suffering is often repeated. To understand it, we must study where cruelty comes from, how pain leads to more pain, and how such cycles can be broken.

I. Philosophical Context: What “Healthy” and “Torture” Mean

Defining the “Healthy Man”

Here, “healthy” does not just mean physically fit. It also means emotionally, mentally, and morally strong. A healthy person feels secure, balanced, and empathetic. They can respond to others’ needs without being controlled by fear, anger, or insecurity.

Torture as a Concept

Torture means causing extreme pain, either physical or psychological. But it also includes emotional manipulation, cruelty, humiliation, and exploitation. It is not only the act but also the intention to control, punish, or degrade another person. This intention usually comes from the torturer’s own pain.

II. Psychological Analysis: The Cycle of Pain

Trauma and Psychological Projection

Psychology shows that trauma, especially if unresolved, can damage personality. Freud’s defense mechanisms, Jung’s “shadow self,” and modern trauma science explain how people project their own pain onto others. For example, many abused children grow up to become abusers.

Some key mechanisms are:

Displacement: Directing one’s own frustration or pain onto others.

Identification with the Aggressor: Victims copy the behavior of their abusers to feel safe.

Desensitization: Repeated exposure to violence reduces empathy.

Empathy, Resilience, and the Healthy Mind

Research shows that people raised in love and security develop strong empathy. They handle difficulties without harming others. Emotional health gives resilience and self-control, which stop people from spreading pain.

III. Historical and Social Illustration: Pain Passed On

The Cycle in Families and Societies

Studies of family systems and intergenerational trauma show that pain often passes from one generation to another. An abused child may become an abusive parent. Communities suffering from violence often continue the cycle within themselves.

Case Study: The Stanford Prison Experiment

In 1971, college students role-playing as prison guards acted cruelly. Later studies showed the environment influenced them, but the most sadistic ones often had histories of their own struggles or marginalization.

Societal Examples

Totalitarian regimes: Many leaders and enforcers came from harsh or humiliating backgrounds and used cruelty to regain power.

Colonization: Societies once oppressed sometimes inflicted cruelty when they gained power.

IV. Counterarguments and Nuances

Not every tortured person becomes a torturer. Some rise above their suffering and dedicate their lives to justice and compassion (for example, Holocaust survivors who fought for human rights). Likewise, not all healthy people avoid cruelty—fear, duty, or social pressure can push even balanced individuals into harmful acts.

Key points to note:

Personal choice matters, not just past trauma.

Society can encourage cruelty, even among those without personal trauma.

Some people develop resilience and empathy that help them break the cycle.

V. Breaking the Cycle: Healing and Hope

Self-awareness and Therapy

Recognizing one’s own pain is the first step to stopping its projection. Therapy—such as psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and trauma-informed care—helps people process suffering instead of passing it on.

Education and Compassion

Teaching empathy, restorative justice, and strong community support can help prevent victims from becoming perpetrators.

Social Responsibility

Society must create healthy conditions for people by reducing poverty, violence, and inequality. It must also promote inclusivity and non-violence. These steps reduce trauma and build resilience.

VI. Conclusion

The saying “The healthy man does not torture others – usually it is the tortured who become torturers” is both a warning and a truth. Cruelty usually comes not from strength, but from unresolved pain. History, psychology, and society all prove this. At the same time, the cycle of harm can be broken. Healing ourselves is not only personal but also a collective duty. By creating healthier people and communities, we stop the spread of pain and give space for kindness and humanity to grow